The Great Dancers: The “Golden Age”
Oriental dance as we know it today was shaped by the dancers that appeared at Badia Masabni’s Casino Opera cabaret […]
Raqs at-Taḥṭīb
Raqs at-taḥṭīb, which literally in Arabic means “fighting dance,” is performed by male dancers of the Sa’id (a region in
Male Dancers in the Middle East
In general, Middle Eastern men pride themselves on their masculinity and strength.¹ Islamic and Christian edicts are interpreted to condemn homosexuality,
Dance in the Middle East
Although Jamila herself often used the terms ‘alma/‘awalim, ghawazi, and Ouled Nail interchangibly to mean a woman who dances, these terms actually
The Harem: Myth and Reality
The harem has been a source of fascination and fantasy in the United States and Western Europe, as seen in
What is “the Middle East”?
Before we can examine the subjects and histories that Jamila explored and introduced in her articles, we must introduce and
The Salimpour Story – The Workshop Era
Somewhere between 1973 and 1975, I began producing two-day workshops in which I presented other teachers to my students and
The Salimpour Story – Jamila Focuses Primarily on Teaching
After their marriage, Ardeshir immediately threatened to break both of Jamila’s legs if she danced again or even took a
The Salimpour Story – Jamila Moves to San Francisco
Tired of traveling back and forth between two cities, Jamila decided to move to San Francisco permanently. Jamila stayed in
The Salimpour Story – Jamila Marries Again
Jamila in Bob Gary’s Hollywood home, what was called the Jack London House at that time (ca 1959). Jamila began