Thread: What is Ozgen up to with his shoe?

I've just been watching videos of Ozgen on youtube, and there are two videos of him doing Turkish Roman where towards the end he takes off one shoe, shoves it in his trousers and waggles it about. What on earth is going on here? Is this a Roman thing, and if so does it have any particular meaning? Or is it just him? To me, it looks quite rude, but maybe I just have a filthy smutty mind...?

I was taken aback when I first saw his clips too, but when he was here he explained that this is not uncommon in Romani dance. Anything that emphasizes the pelvic movements can be used (i.e. shoe, knotted sweater or jacket, belt etc).

Romani dance as performed by men is rather more overtly sexual & "macho" than what we are used to, I think. :)

Originally Posted by Serpentina

I've just been watching videos of Ozgen on youtube, and there are two videos of him doing Turkish Roman where towards the end he takes off one shoe, shoves it in his trousers and waggles it about. What on earth is going on here? Is this a Roman thing, and if so does it have any particular meaning? Or is it just him? To me, it looks quite rude, but maybe I just have a filthy smutty mind...?

look at the "money pouch" on these koceks!..i think that is the shoe thing ! it is a way of going back to that money bag ?

That was a minute and a half well spent!

If you watch Romani dancing, it is quite common that guys tie their jacket around their hips and make the sleeves flip around a lot. Eva Cernik mentioned the Ozgen clip in a workshop, and also shared that during Hedereljezi, it is common that men put an (open) water bottle into their pants, just like the shoe, which is gonna lead to spillage. During a spring festival that is related to fertility celebrations, it is hard not to come to a fairly clear interpretation ..., and Eva thought that the shoe thing has similar roots. Now, what's also quite interesting - Turkey is a mostly muslim country, and there is the whole soles shoes and are unclean and thus taboo thing; apparently that does not extend to the Roma.

In any case, whatever one thinks about his shoes, that guy can DANCE!

Loved all three clips. Man, I want to see more of the Kocek dancing, they are fun!

I've seen other clips of male rom dancing where the shoe is stuffed down the guy's trouser front. It seems to be a rom thing, but since that isn't my speciality I'm in no position to discuss it beyond that.

I've got a filthy mind too, and I'm sure we aren't the only ones!

I Love Ozgen! what a guy and what a dancer...adore watching him.

I remember someone who did Irish dancing talking about taking the shoes off and putting them down the top of your pants for safety, dont know if it was common.

I also knew a guy in my city who did this under his galabeya when going to the Mosque because he had his shoes taken twice!

I've seen the water bottle version of this in person and totally lost it when the spillage occurred. It was great.

I'm guessing it is exactly what it appears to be. From my observation, Roman dance is about life, and that is undeniably a part of life.

Originally Posted by caroline_afifi

I Love Ozgen! what a guy and what a dancer...adore watching him.

I remember someone who did Irish dancing talking about taking the shoes off and putting them down the top of your pants for safety, dont know if it was common.

I also knew a guy in my city who did this under his galabeya when going to the Mosque because he had his shoes taken twice!

ok, i have been into kpocek danceing a long time because it is WHY hyes HATE male belly dancers...the koceks were seen on the death marches ...they are gypsys, and do n ot allow the women to dance in public....so, then you guys get me going on water and shoes....ah ha ! both very very valuable to poor people!!!!!
thanks ladies...you are bringing my study to another high .

It looks like he's telling a story! Great dancer!

Originally Posted by zamora

ok, i have been into kpocek danceing a long time because it is WHY hyes HATE male belly dancers...the koceks were seen on the death marches ...they are gypsys, and do n ot allow the women to dance in public....so, then you guys get me going on water and shoes....ah ha ! both very very valuable to poor people!!!!!
thanks ladies...you are bringing my study to another high .

Hi Zamora,

Could you repeat the first part of this post as I didnt quite get it all? what is 'hyes'?

cheers!

Originally Posted by caroline_afifi

Hi Zamora,

Could you repeat the first part of this post as I didnt quite get it all? what is 'hyes'?

cheers!

Hyes are Armenians.

Well, I'm slightly less confused now - I suppose I just wasn't expecting to see something so suggestive whilst in bellydance geek mode.

And the Coceks were fun to watch!

Originally Posted by caroline_afifi

Hi Zamora,

Could you repeat the first part of this post as I didnt quite get it all? what is 'hyes'?

cheers!

" hyes" armenians

This whole thread had me in anticipation .................................................. ...................................... WHEW! <<wipes sweat from forehead>> -- he wore socks :)

Watching this routine at JoY a few years back was one of the highlights of my life Ozgen is one of the most entertaining dancers you can ever see. His oriental is also a delight.
And..I have been fortunate to see Kocek dancers in Turkey. The arrived , out of the blue at a restaurant where we eating to entertain us and yes those little bum bags certainly move. When I returned to the hotel, I told the manager and asked to confirm that I had indeed seen Koceks. "Madam is honoured..yes you have." Frilly floral skirts, black t- shirts, bum bags and stubble! Brilliant moment.

..Oh and did I mention I sat next to him,watching BDSS at Blackpool? (This is the time when I duck in the company of friends) He is also the most pleasant of men and a fantastic teacher.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Watching this routine at JoY a few years back was one of the highlights of my life Ozgen is one of the most entertaining dancers you can ever see. His oriental is also a delight.
And..I have been fortunate to see Kocek dancers in Turkey. The arrived , out of the blue at a restaurant where we eating to entertain us and yes those little bum bags certainly move. When I returned to the hotel, I told the manager and asked to confirm that I had indeed seen Koceks. "Madam is honoured..yes you have." Frilly floral skirts, black t- shirts, bum bags and stubble! Brilliant moment.

THAT is most awesome!!!!

fantastic clips! thanks so much for posting.