This t-shirt design contains a silhouette of a male dancing the Greek zeibekiko dance.

Zeibekiko is a common Greek dance, and is popular in Greece and areas around the world with large Greek populations. Throughout history it has been known as an intensely personal dance where the dancer can express their individuality and passion for the Zeibekiko music.

An unwritten rule is that only one man at a time may dance it, however the dancer is usually surrounded by friends, family and on-lookers who clap their hands to the music. In modern times, it is now common for women to dance the Zeibekiko, whereas in the early to mid 20th century, it was not.

There are no formal dance steps, as the dance is often called a “drunk man’s” dance, where any movements or steps that comport with the beat of the music are accepted. Certain conventions, such as the dancer’s outstretched arms and circular dancing movements often evoke the erratic flight of an eagle as it circles potential prey on the ground. For this reason the dance is also said to mimic that of a bird of prey in flight.

Notwithstanding certain conventions, Zeibekiko dancers often perform such feats as standing on a glass of wine, the edge of a chair or fireplace, or picking up a table, or taking shot of an alcoholic beverage using only their mouth to grasp the shot glass. Such feats add a sense of braggadocio or even humor to the dance.

Zeibekiko songs are popular and vast in Greece, and often form the highlight of any Greek celebration or banquet. One of the most traditional and popular Zeibekiko songs is “To Zeibekiko Ths Evdokias,” while other modern Zeibekiko songs include “Rosa” by Mitropanos, and “To Agalma” by Poulopoulos.