Karhad village (Sivas) | Beejo/Bidjo (dance)

06/04/25 (Last modified 06/04/25)

This section of our website aims to document and share performances of various traditional Armenian dances that have been preserved by Diasporan communities in the United States. To this end, Houshamadyan is partnering and collaborating with a group of Armenian dance experts who have produced appropriate dance notations for documentation. This group consists of Carolyn Rapkievian (of Bar Harbor, Maine), Susan and Gary Lind-Sinanian (of Watertown, Massachusetts), Tom Bozigian (of Los Angeles, California), and Robert Haroutunian (Sunyside, NY).

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Beejo is a traditional dance from the rural villages of Sivas (Sepasdia), with several variations across different villages. This particular version originates from the village of Karhad (present-day Taşlıkaya) in Sivas. The name of the dance may refer to a girl's name.

The basic step of Beejo was learned by Tom Bozigian in his childhood, with additional figures taught to him by Arsen Anoushian, who led the Armenian Folk Dance Society of New York and dedicated decades to preserving traditional Armenian songs and dances.

Beejo was first introduced to the Armenian Folk Dance Society of New York in 1939 by Mary Eretsian (Pahlevanian). Other notable sources include Eddie Keosaian, Hourig Sahagian, and Margaret Tellalian Kyrkostas. Today, the dance continues to be performed by Armenian-Americans in the eastern United States.

Formation: a mixed line dance with the leader to the right. Dancers hold little each other’s little fingers with arms down at the side; arms always swing straight. Beejo can also be danced in a closed circle.

Rhythm: 6/8

Beejo/Bidjo | Demonstration and Tutorial

Armenian women in Sivas, dressed in their wedding gowns (Source: Keghouni, Year A, Number 3, April 1, 1902, Mekhitarist Order Printing House, Venice). This photograph, originally in black and white, was edited by Houshamadyan and digitally colorized using MyHeritage.com.
A panoramic view of the town of Sivas/Sepasdia (Source: Franz Cumont/Eugène Cumont, Studia Pontica, II, Voyage d’exploration archéologique dans le Pont et la Petite Arménie, Bruxelles, 1906) This photograph, originally in black and white, was edited by Houshamadyan and digitally colorized using MyHeritage.com.
A wedding in the Sivas/Sepasdia region. The bride, her face veiled and seated on a horse, can be seen at the back (Source: Nubarian Library collection)