I'm doing some research on belly dance specifically in Egypt but can't find much past the Golden Cinema Era. Before that it seems very general and vague.
Do we have any specific information on belly dancers in Egypt before the dawn of movies?
I am looking specifically for names of dancers and any type of lineage.
If you know of any information or books/websites that I can research, please let me know.
Thanks!
Chandani
www.chandani.net
Do we have any specific information on belly dancers in Egypt before the dawn of movies?
I am looking specifically for names of dancers and any type of lineage.
If you know of any information or books/websites that I can research, please let me know.
Thanks!
Chandani
www.chandani.net
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Re: Way back when...
Fri, September 21, 2007 - 3:19 AMSo far as I know, the data on dance in Egypt prior to Badi'a Casino Opera is spare, at best. The native culture simply didn't write much down about dance, ever. :(
Your best best is to navigate the tricky waters of Victorian-era travelers. The work Veiled Half-Truths is a place to start:
www.librarything.com/work/68387
As it's a feminist de-construction of much of their works, with lots of data on dancing in the region in that time period. That said, the single best and most informative work for that time period is Lane's The Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians:
books.google.com/books
Which has an entire section on Public Dancers in Egypt in that time period.
I can go farther back -- my focus point is what limited data we have on Mid-East dance in the European Middle Ages and Renaissance -- but hopefully, that helps you?
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Re: Way back when...
Mon, September 24, 2007 - 11:19 PMAgreeing w/Asim
Lane is the prevailing primary source for the 19th C.. You can further review the travel literature of the period - published travelogues were quite popular in the 18-19th C.
They may provide a few hints and names - keeping in mind that the journals are a product of their times and may only provide anecdotes rather than fully detailed accounts.
Best of luck! Keep us informed of your progress!
Sh