Schikhatt

Shickatt Dance

In Classical Arabic, sheikha is the feminine form of sheikh: a person of knowledge,  experience, wisdom. Sheikha can mean a woman of knowledge and experience, the wife of the sheikh or both. In Darija (Moroccan Arabic), sheikha denotes … Continued

Guedra: Benediction & Betrothal

Guedra: Benediction & Betrothal Dance

Trance ritual of the “Blue People” of the Sahara Desert, (from Mauritania through Morocco all the way to Egypt). Hands trace mystical symbols, spreading love & peace, thanking Earth, Water, Wind & Fire, blessing all present in spirit … Continued

Raqs al Nasha’al: Saudi Women’s Dance

Raks al Nasha'al: Saudi Women's Dance

Raqs al Nasha’al /Raqs Samri is done at all-women Gulf parties, especially at weddings. It’s a Saudi/ Kuwaiti women’s dance where they used to wear special diaphanous overdresses full of gold sequins (thobe al nasha’al) and  swirl their … Continued

Sulukule: Istanbul Inner City Roman (Gypsy) Karsilama

Sule Kule: Istanbul Inner City Gypsy Karsilama

This urban Karsilama (9/8) of the poor, much-harrassed inner-city Istanbul Roma combines tableau elements with authentic dance movements. It is not your tambourine-shaking, skirt-flinging Hollywood fantasy – this Romany woman is “fed up” with dancing for tourists, but … Continued