HABIBA RAKS MEDSOK

On Saturday November 11, two members of Troupe Jamileh Malika traveled to Kentucky for a delightful MEDSOK weekend of dance with Habiba, one of the worlds experts on Ethnic Dance. My sister in dance, Parvaneh Ravan and myself packed more into a day and a half than I have had time to totally comprehend.
I was more than delighted to have the opportunity to attend a workshop in Louisville, Kentucky at the Riverbend Winery with the international teacher Habiba. Habiba, the 2001 IAMED Ethnic dancer of the year presented a five hour workshop on authentic Ghawazi (Egyptian Gypsy) dance. Habiba demonstrated the joyful hypnotic dance style of the Ghawazi which tanslates as the "Invaders of the Heart." This art is truly one that will invade your heart.

The Ghawazi tradition was carried on for hundreds of years, and passed on through Ghawazi families. The Ghawazi are musicians and dancers, and performers for weddings at outdoor festivals in Lower Egypt. The Ghawazi migrated south after having been driven from Cairo when dancing was banned in the 19th century.

The Ghawazi were a house hold word in the 1900's and Habiba"s articles cite they have been referred to by renowned dancer Nagwa Fuad as the "purest example of Egyptian dance." The Ghawazi were made world famous by 19th century travelers and were the subject of countless orientalist paintings.

Habiba first traveled to Egypt in 1985 to study with the legendary Benat Maazin (Maazin Daughters). The Maazin family is the last practicing family in the line of Ghawazi. There is only one remaining survivor of the classic tradition. The Maazin family are members of the Nawar, gypsies who migrated to Egypt in medieval times. Khairiyya Maazin is trying to carry on the family tradition despite increasing pressures from religious fundamentalism and the infusion of Western culture. Other family members have retired from the dance due to the cultural isolation and stigma for female dancers. (There are several great clips of Khairiyya Maazin dancing on YouTube.) Oddly, it is American dancers that are keeping the traditional alive.

Habiba taught a dance style that is relatively simple and repetitive. (The Ghawazi are famous for an energetic style of side to side shimmy and movement.) Those attending the workshop learned fifteen combination steps that included horse stomps, shimmies, figure 8's, traveling steps and hops. We learned the history of the costumes and a complete choreography complete with sagat.

We were to learn that the costumes know as Pharaonic were designed by the Youssef Maazin family. The costume consisted of a crown, chemise, vest beaded with large sequin pailettes , bustle, slip, a skirt with beading and large sequin pailettes, a ribbon skirt and a dowry necklace. The name Pharaonic may be very accurate as some historians believe that dance was brought to from from Egypt to the Roman colonies by 1st century Phoenicians. I was delighted to know that my mother Zbeide had created very accurate costumes a few years ago for her Harem.

Perry Williams from Cat's Paw was the vendor and he was selling a wide array of costume pieces made from real coins. He calls them real costumes for real dancers. I did come away with a pair of real coin earring to go with my new Tribal costume, but we would all love to have one of his belts and bra covers. MEDSOK presented Habiba with one of his very beautiful gypsy princess necklaces.

The workshop was followed with by an evening Concert with Habiba as the featured performer. Habiba was joined by local Kentucky and Indiana dance troupes for a 2 hour concert. Habiba performed a medieval Andalusian style dance and was struck me as reminiscent of Martha Graham. (I was to later learn that Habiba had studied with Miss Graham who is one of her idols.) Dressed in the Andalusian costume complete with her crown, Habiba truly belonged in the royal court. Habiba demonstrated an elegant court dance with floating grace and elegant hand movement. She also performed a classic Egyptian routine displaying controlled shimmy steps that reflect the compressed emotion of her study with Raqia Hassan. The Egyptian routine was set off by a elegant haute couture beaded Mme Abla Egyptian dress.

The concert was delightful with the most diverse group of dancers. My sister Parvaneh Ravan and I were delighted to show off our newly designed tribal costumes as we performed a short tribal fusion number. I had the opportunity to show off the my circle veil, and enjoyed the oohs and ahhs. My sister knew the wrong song was playing, but I smiled and did improv.

On Sunday 12th, we joined the MEDSOK workshop on Classic Medieval Andalusian dance at Samovar Dance Studio in Louisville. Ruric-Amari hosted the the workshop and we were all very grateful for the coffee and doughnuts after the Ghawazi workout and show from the previous day.

At the Sunday Workshop, Habiba presented a 2.5 hour workshop on the elegant North African dance style that included a hint of what would become Flamenco hundreds of years later. The workshop included a short choreography, history, costuming, and how to incorporate Andalusian style into Raks Sharki and other oriental dance.

Some of the combination steps of the Andalusian dance resembles Sevillanas. Historically Sevillanas are associated with Flamenco. Sevillanas did not originate in Seville, but has roots in Phoenician folk dance. Both Medieval Andulusian and Sevillanas are both very stable dances that can be done in pairs. The graceful arm work of the Andalusian style is sure to add stage presence to any performance.

I want to thank Habiba, for an energizing weekend; I felt that I was truly in the presence of dance royalty. My special thanks goes out to Maura Enright the present of MEDSOK for the amount of hours she diligently worked for a delightful weekend.

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