Kurdish dance (Kurdish: Govend, Helperkê, Shayî) is a group of traditional hand-holding dances similar to those from the Middle Eastern countries. It is a form of a circle dance, with a single or a couple of figure dancers often added to the geometrical center of the dancing circle. According to the Encyclopedia of Islam, Kurds sing and dance in all of their festivals, birthdays, New Years, Newroz, marriage and other ceremonies. Its noteworthy that these folkloric dances are mixed-gender which distinguishes the Kurds from other neighboring Muslim populations.