History & Culture

French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian Campaign (1798-1801) spurred a lasting interest in all things Egyptian surged throughout Europe and the […]

The tale of Sheherezade is part of the collection of folktales from the Middle East and Western Asia compiled in

Edward William Lane (1801-1876). The Guardians of the Temple from the painting by Ferdinand Keller. Frontispiece from History of Egypt

In general, female entertainers, specifically dancers, in the Middle East are perceived there as immoral, fallen, and without honor. Modern

Sohair Zaki (1944 – ) Sohair Zaki was born in Mansoura, Egypt, in 1944 into a conservative family. Like many

The establishment of national folkloric¹ dance companies in Egypt marks a significant moment in the evolution, perception, and practice of Oriental

Oriental dance as we know it today was shaped by the dancers that appeared at Badia Masabni’s Casino Opera cabaret

Raqs at-taḥṭīb, which literally in Arabic means “fighting dance,” is performed by male dancers of the Sa’id (a region in

In general, Middle Eastern men pride themselves on their masculinity and strength.¹ Islamic and Christian edicts are interpreted to condemn homosexuality,

Although Jamila herself often used the terms ‘alma/‘awalim, ghawazi, and Ouled Nail interchangibly to mean a woman who dances, these terms actually