Classical oriental dance

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Raqs Sharqi

Classical oriental dance is used in the Arab world Raqs Sharqi  /رقص شرقي / raqṣ called šarqī . Due to the literal translation of “dance of the east”, the German term “oriental dance” is correct. The classical oriental dance comes from Egypt . In Egypt in particular, reference is made to the pure Egyptian dance form that has survived to this day. Raqs Sharqi is also shown and taught in Lebanon and many other countries in the Arab world.

For the Raqs Sharqi, instrumental pieces are preferred (especially in Egypt) performed by live orchestras, often with singing. With the modernization of Egypt, Sharqi music is also changing. Western influences, the introduction of new instruments and the expansion of the traditional orchestra lead to a "new" music and a more expansive and stage-effective way of dancing. Famous composers and artists such as Farid el Atrache and Mohammed Abdel Wahab managed to modernize the music without taking away its typical Egyptian character.

The typical belly dance costume is mandatory for the classic Raqs Sharqi. A classic two-piece suit or dress is used. The dancer wears an embroidered bra, a belt and a skirt. A veil is used for the entrance, which is placed on the stage after a short while. In Lebanon, in contrast to Egypt, the dancer wears high shoes to dance.

While the baladi was originally the art of the common people, Raqs Sharqi goes back to the music and dance that was cultivated in the noble courts and in the rich houses of Egypt. In earlier times it was the task of the Awalim , professional court entertainers and teachers in music, dance, poetry and singing who performed in noble courts with a small musical ensemble and presented a refined art form, to entertain the nobility with their performances. This tradition was later continued in the homes of the social elite. The Raqs Sharqi today also contains clear elements of ballet. In her performance, especially in Egypt, the dancer is not just a dancer. She often takes on vocal interludes or moderates part of the program herself, speaks to the audience and thus gets feedback that she incorporates into her performance. In this way, the pure dance performance becomes a kind of combined entertainment. Especially in Egypt, women over 40 are very popular belly dancers, such as Suhair Zaki , Fifi Abdou , Lucy and Dina .

literature

  • Wendy Buonaventura: Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World , Interlink Publishing Group, 1998, ISBN 1-5665-6300-3
  • Karin Van Nieuwkerk: A Trade Like Any Other: Female Singers and Dancers in Egypt , University of Texas Press, 1995, ISBN 0-29278-723-5
  • Wendy Buonaventura: Belly dance , Kunstmann Verlag, 1998, ISBN 3-8889-7106-3
  • Dietlinde Bedauia Karkutli: The Belly Dance Book , Rowohlt 2002, ISBN 3-4996-1328-X
  • Eluan Ghazal: The sacred dance. Oriental dance and sacred eroticism , Simon & Leutner, 2005, ISBN 3-92238-995-3
  • Eluan Ghazal: snake cult and temple love. Sacred eroticism in archaic societies , Simon + Leutner, 1995, ISBN 3-92238-963-5