Oriental Dance
Raks Sharqi
Spanish

Many European artists of the XVIII Century reveal in their work, a strong influence towards Middle East. In various paintings, engravings and poems, appears the compelling presence of certain kind of oriental dancers: The “Ghawazee”, or also called “intruder, conqueror or invader of the heart ”.

There’s a big debate around the origin of the ghawazee dancers, but some sources consider them as women belonging to The Nawar’s, Gypsies established in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, descendent s of the Romany People. Some others uphold the theory that the Gypsy people were one of the main cultural channels from where these vibrant dances, full of sensuality came in to the West World. The Ghawazee dance is considered by some, as the mother of the Raks Sharqi, better known as Oriental dance, belly dance, or Danse Orientale; expressions provided by the european travellers who were shocked by this muscular dance, unlike the western “step” dances. Although their origins are uncertain, it is known that this kind of dance is related to fertility rituals and is one of the most antique dances in the world.

The Oriental Gypsy Dance taught in Al Mosharabía studio, is closer to the Egyptian Oriental style, with a more dynamic sense than traditional dance, enriched with many dance features coming from the Romany and Turkish Cultures.

Ghawazi