FARANDOLE

lively and popular chain dance of Provence and Catalonia. It was mentioned as early as the 14th century and, according to tradition, was taken to Marseille from Greece by Phoenician sailors. Performed on feast days, the farandole is danced by men and women holding hands in a chain. The dancers, following the steps introduced by the chain leader, wind through the streets to the accompaniment of pipes and tabors. The music is in 6/8 time. The farandole is one of a group of Mediterranean, Balkan, and Middle Eastern chain dances that includes the Romanian hora and the Greek syrtos, and it is related to the medieval carole. The dance of the French Revolution, the carmagnole, was a variety of farandole.