Sheshen - Dance of the Anatolian Circassians by Nalmes

Dance of the Anatolian Circassians or locally known as Sheshen is a very popular Circassian dance performed in every wedding and celebration ceremony. Its origin is not known clearly, but modern versions are inspired by Circassians living in Turkey. It has a moderate pace although there are some faster versions mixed with Lezginka in some regions.

Every couple performs the dance inside a wide circle surrounded by the crowd and guests. Couples take the floor one by one and show their skills to the community. The man needs to do his best to get the woman's attention and the crowd's appreciation. The other men in the circle encourage and support him during the dance with cheers and chants. Although there are some basic elements, custom improvisations are very important. Performers should not repeat other people's patterns and they have to be creative because individual compositions are seen as a signature for the person. Like all other Circassian dances, the dance duration depends on the woman and keeps going on until she decides to finish it. It's accepted a very rude behavior if the man leaves before the woman.

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