I found an interesting site for the traditional music of the Greek Pontos, The
Pontic Music Home Page. It concerns the traditional music of the Greeks inhabiting
the east coast of the Black Sea (till 1922), nowadays part of Turkey. The site
gives information on history of their culture (and especially musical), some
theory, and includes lots of audio samples. I was very much interested, for
traditional Greek Pontic music is considered to have kept more relics of the
ancient Greek and Byzantine music. From another point of view, this marginal
(geographically) Greek population have been in close contact with the eastern
music through all the centuries, so it should have many influences from the
music of Iran, Georgia, Turkey and other. I was shocked by the close resemblance
(almost identity) of some Pontian dances with certain very popular traditional
dances in Bulgaria, especially those in uneven rhythm (5/8, 7/8, 9/8). Among
them is the very known ancient Greek bellicose dance Pyrrihe, which in Bulgaria
is called "Ratchenitsa" and is a competitive dance in pairs.
I would be very thankful, if somebody can give me more sources or information
on the topic.