Language/Standard-arabic/Culture/Arabic-dance
Հայերէն
Български език
官话
官話
Hrvatski jezik
Český jazyk
Nederlands
English
Suomen kieli
Français
Deutsch
עברית
हिन्दी
Magyar
Bahasa Indonesia
فارسی
Italiano
日本語
Қазақ тілі
한국어
Lietuvių kalba
Νέα Ελληνικά
Şimali Azərbaycanlılar
Język polski
Português
Limba Română
Русский язык
Српски
Español
Svenska
Wikang Tagalog
தமிழ்
ภาษาไทย
Türkçe
Українська мова
Urdu
Tiếng Việt
Arabic dance is an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of the Arabic-speaking world. It is a diverse and vibrant art form with a long history that spans many different countries and regions. As a Standard Arabic language learner, understanding the various styles of Arabic dance is crucial for building cultural connections and enhancing your appreciation of Arabic music and entertainment.
In this lesson, we will explore some of the most popular forms of Arabic dance, their origins, and their unique characteristics. We will also learn some related terms and expressions that will help you better understand and appreciate this beautiful art form.
Raqs Sharqi
One of the most well-known styles of Arabic dance is raqs sharqi (رقص شرقي), also known as belly dance. This is a solo dance that originated in Egypt and is characterized by fluid, undulating movements of the hips and torso. The dancer usually wears a bedlah (a two-piece outfit consisting of a bra and skirt) adorned with beads, sequins, and other decorations.
Some key terms related to raqs sharqi include:
- حركات (ḥarakāt): movements
- الألحان (al-alḥān): music
- اللوحة (al-lawḥah): performance
If you ever have the opportunity to watch a raqs sharqi performance, pay close attention to the dancer's fluid movements and the intricate rhythms of the music.
Dabke
Dabke (دبكة) is a group dance that is popular in many Arabic-speaking countries, including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. It is typically performed at weddings, celebrations, and other cultural events, and involves dancers holding hands and forming a line or circle.
The movements in dabke are characterized by stomping, jumping, and kicking, with the lead dancer often improvising and encouraging the other dancers to join in. The music is usually played on traditional instruments such as the mijwiz (a type of flute) and the tabla (a type of drum).
Some key terms related to dabke include:
- السبع (al-sabʿ): the leader of the dabke line
- الزغرتا (al-zaghrata): a high-pitched ululation or cry of joy that is often used during dabke performances
- اللقيمات (al-lqaymat): small, sweet pastries that are often served at dabke events.
If you ever have the chance to participate in a dabke dance circle, be sure to hold hands with your fellow dancers and feel the energy and joy of the music and movement.
Tanoura
Tanoura (تنورة) is a spinning dance that originated in Egypt and is often performed by Sufi-inspired dancers. The dancer wears a wide, colorful skirt with many layers, often with a matching cape and hat. The dance involves spinning and twirling continuously, with the skirt flaring out and creating a beautiful visual effect.
The music for tanoura is often played on traditional Egyptian instruments such as the oud (a type of lute) and the darbuka (a type of drum). The dance is often very spiritual in nature and is seen as a form of meditation and devotion by many practitioners.
Some key terms related to tanoura include:
- الزاوية (al-zāwiyah): a Sufi spiritual center or gathering place
- الدوران (al-dawrān): spinning or rotation
- السيوف (al-siyūf): swords, which are sometimes incorporated into tanoura performances.
If you ever have the opportunity to watch a tanoura performance, be sure to pay close attention to the beautiful movements and the spiritual significance of the dance.
Sources