Denizli Zeybek: the Story of Heroism

At the mention of “Efe”, the first folk dance that comes to mind is “Zeybek”. Denizli Zeybek is story passed down generations of efes who stood up against injustice. At the suggestion of the City’s Office of Cultural and Tourism Affairs, it was registered in the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage National Inventory on 13 March 2013 and it lives on in various locales of Denizli, this folk dance has become one with its name, known in Denizli as the Tavas Zeybek. With a unique melody, special clothing, and slow moves, it tells of the heroic acts of efes. The grandeur, nobility, pride, and chivalry of an efe is personified in each move of the Denizli Zeybek. The noble posture merges with the Denizli Zeybek’s impressive story and the resulting sight is a glorious folk dance show.