Tambourine in Belly Dance
By Rachel Aitken
The tambourine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood with pairs of small metal cymbals...
Shamadan
By Suzanne Marsh
The Shamadan is a large candelabrum balanced on top of a dancer’s head, in a tradition unique to Egyptian dance. This beautiful dance prop is historically used in the Egyptian wedding procession, or zeffah...
Morrocan Tray Dancing (Raqs al Seniyaa or Seniyyadda)
By Melissa Gunn
A folkloric dance. This is dancing while balancing a tea tray –the tray can be removed and used as a prop (just as Saiidi canes are used as more than just a stick). This dance probably originates in Morocco...
The milaya lef (winding sheet) is large black cotton wrap (over 3m long) that used to be worn by bint il-beled in Alexandria or old Cairo over normal clothes often with the mandil and bur'a. The garment was used for modesty, warmth and protection. Groceries could be stored in its folded pockets and small children could cling to it...
Belly Dance Zills
By Carol Arnup
Zills or Zils are metallic cymbals used in Belly dancing. Zils is the Turkish name for them and Zagats is what they are called in Arabic. The history of the finger cymbals dates back to around 1500BC. They were a sacred instrument taking their name from the Goddess Cybele. The Zils are used today as a percussion instrument and remains a integral part of the Oriental dance...
Tunisian Pot Dance
by Lynette Marchant
The Pot Dance comes from the south of Tunisia, the islands of Djerba and Kerkennah. Djerba is reputed to be the island known as "The Land of the Lotus Eaters" in the Odyssey. The dance celebrates...
Fifi Abdou
Fifi Abdou grew up in a village outside Cairo. She was determined to become a dancer and at the age of 12, she ran away from home with a neighbour’s daughter who was a dancer in a folklore troupe. She then became a soloist at the age of 13 and began dancing at weddings and performing at 5-star hotels. Fifi Abdou claims...
Tahia Carioca
by Rachel Boyle
Began dancing in Badia Masabni's Casino Opera troupe at the age of 14, after leaving home to escape her overbearing brothers. She learnt ballet and also a samba dance called Karioka, where she got her stage name. She was known for her stage presence...
Belly Dance
by Moira Ingham
Belly dance in its present form, is enjoyed throughout the world and is taught in almost every country. Belly dance creates self-confidence as well as creating an instant community of women of all ages. For many women, it is a journey of self discovery and can be a great source of exercise as well as a means of socialisation. It is believed that Belly Dance was taken to America back in the late 1800’s...
Gypsy - League of Nations
by Kathy Gavin
Romani music often referred to as gypsy/gypsi music is the music of the Romani people who have their origins in Northern India but today live mostly in Europe. Typically nomadic, the Romani people acted as entertainers and tradesmen in the countries that they visited. They incorporated the influences of those countries that they visited namely, Greek, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Serbian, Czech, Slavic...
Randa Kamel
by Caroline Judson
Randa Kamel is an Egyptian dancer. As a child at school she learned local folkloric dance and says that dance has always been in her blood. Since she was small, when she needs cheering up, she has put on some music and danced. At the age of 15, Randa joined the Reda Troupe. With the Reda Troupe, Randa travelled around the world....