Pontic Greek folk dance

[3] Today, few Pontians remain in the Pontus region, but those living in the diaspora worldwide still perform folk dances to preserve their cultural heritage and group identity.

Pontian dances are characterized by shoulder tremors, abrupt pauses, synchronized arm swinging, knee bends, and precise steps.

Their ancestors came to Greece as refugees fleeing the violence in the late Ottoman Empire or as exchangees following the Greek-Turkish population exchange.

[citation needed] Pontian traditional dances have been incorporated into gym classes at Greek public schools.

In addition, dancers performed Pontian dances at the closing of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

According to one Pontic Greek man living in Melbourne, "every Pontian club had a dancing group.

Anthropologist Valerie Liddle argues that Pontians also dance to commemorate the loss of their former home in Pontos.

Dances are typically performed by a group of people linking their hands or touching one another's arms in some way.

In Romeika, omal means "regular" or "smooth," as the dances have simple steps without much jumping or stomping.