Who is an Almeh

While eating lunch in my office one day, I decided to surf the internet to research some information on belly dance. I needed to find some interesting pictures, graphics or fun facts to build my website for my new found hobby. A painting came up on the screen that captivated me. A beautiful young woman was leaning against a stone wall dressed in a sheer black top with reddish orange harem pants. One hand on her hip held a very long pipe and the other was bent up next to her scarved head propped against the wall. The mysterious look on her face made me began to wonder. Who is this woman? What is she doing standing in this corridor? A curiosity began to consume me and I needed to find out who painted this and who was this person in the painting. The picture said, "The Almeh with Pipe."

After a frantic title search, I finally discovered that the painter was Jean-Léon Jerome. This French painter created many works in the Orientalist style in the late 1800's. With additional research, all evidence seemed to suggest that an Almeh was a prostitute and dancer of sorts. I was shocked with that thought. I reflected on the fact that this is the light that is cast on belly dancers by many people. I decided to dig a little further, because this explanation did not seem quite right.

With her eyes still inviting me to find out who she was, I continued to investigate for more information. I uncovered that an Almeh did indeed lead a decadent lifestyle. They are consider very educated women that form a separate social class. The Almeh caters to the higher classes of society. Thus, she is allowed many privileges and freedom other women are not afforded. She is able to mix and mingle with the upper class due to her unique educations, talent and station. The Almeh is trained in the arts of song, dance and improvisations, which are mostly sensual, seductive or lewd in nature. Their services are sought after much like that of a courtesan. Their artistic abilities are commissioned for marriages, banquets, festivals and many other events for very large sums.

The Almeh was one of Jean-Léon Jerome focuses during his extensive travels through Turkey, Cairo, Giza and much of the Middle East. As he ventured on his interest in Almehs along with many other Middle Eastern subjects grew. He produced many photographs and sketches with single models posed with costumes and properties, such as "The Almeh with Pipe." So, who is an Almeh? She is a learned woman with many artistic abilities and capabilities. In short, she is a socialite with seductive career choice.