Zalongo

Zalongo is the name of a mountain in Epirus, Greece, and is primarily known as the site of the "Dance of Zalongo" (Greek: Χορός του Ζαλόγγου), a mass suicide of women and children in December 1803.

During the Souliote Wars, women and children from Souli, trapped by Ottoman troops under the command of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, chose to jump to their deaths off the cliff of Mount Zalongo rather than be captured and enslaved. According to legend, they danced and sang as they fell, hence the name "Dance of Zalongo". The event is commemorated by a large monument at the site, depicting the women holding their children.

The event is considered a significant symbol of resistance and sacrifice in Greek history, particularly during the period of Ottoman rule. While the precise details and scope of the tragedy are debated by historians, it remains a powerful and enduring symbol of Greek national identity and the struggle for independence. The historicity of the specific "dance" narrative is sometimes questioned, but the occurrence of a mass suicide at Zalongo by Souliote women and children to avoid capture is generally accepted.