Perception of Dancers in the Middle East
In general, female entertainers, specifically dancers, in the Middle East are perceived there as immoral, fallen, and without honor. Modern […]
The Second Generation of Great Dancers
Sohair Zaki (1944 – ) Sohair Zaki was born in Mansoura, Egypt, in 1944 into a conservative family. Like many
National Folkloric Dance Companies in Egypt
The establishment of national folkloric¹ dance companies in Egypt marks a significant moment in the evolution, perception, and practice of Oriental
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