Yarkhushta

thumb|300px|Yarkhushta performed by Karin folk dance troupe from Yerevan.

Yarkhushta ( (modern orthography) or Եարխուշտայ (classical/traditional orthography), ) is an Armenian folk and martial dance associated with the highlands of the historical region of Sasun in Western Armenia. Yarkhushta belongs to a wider category of Armenian "clap dances" (ծափ-պարեր, tsap parer). The dance is performed by men, who face each other in pairs. The key element of the dance is a forward movement where participants rapidly approach one another and vigorously clap onto the palms of hands of dancers in the opposite row.