Badiaa Masabni, a true wonder woman of her day, was a dancer, singer, actress, and entrepreneur.  This quadruple threat was born in 1892 to a Lebanese father and a Syrian mother in Beirut, and was a pioneer in Arabic Dance’s evolution as a performance art.  

In 1926, Badiaa opened up Egypt’s first music hall in Cairo.  The nightclub was called “Opera Casino” and offered a variety of entertainment to attract both European and Middle Eastern audiences.   Baidiaa also offered a 6 o’clock show for only women that was packed every night.  Badiaa hired artists from Egypt, but also from Sudan and Europe.  Her choreographers came from out of the country and her stage shows had a strong foreign influence.  It was this fusion of multiculturalism that gave today’s Raqs al Sharqui (Dance of the East) its’ glamorous stage-show start.  It was on Badiaa’s stage that stars such as Samia Gamal, Tahiya Karioka, and Naima Akef were born. 

In addition to taking Arabic Dance to the stage, Badiaa Masabni influenced the style of the dance as a performance art.  Originally performers would stand in one spot, and the upper body and arms did not play a particular role in the movement.  Badiaa incorporated the Western idea of traveling around the entire stage and exploring the use of space. She encouraged dancers not only to hold their arms out to the sides, but also to use serpentine, flowing patterns of arm movement.  Badiaa introduced the use of the veil and taught choreography to traditionally improvisational dancers. 

Badiaa also had a strong understanding of Middle Eastern music.  She loved to play finger cymbals and would sit with the band to play for the dancers in her nightclub.  This led to the now common ritual of hiring a musician dedicated to playing just zils as part of the ensemble.  Badiaa also hired classically trained musicians to join the traditional line-up of riqq (tambourine), zurna (winded instrument), and tabla (Egyptian drum) players.   The taqsim (improvisational solo) could be explored and more intricate rhythms we’re introduced to the dancers at her club.

Badiaa Masabni passed away in 1970.  She was a true feminine character with the strength of Superman and the allure of a beautiful woman.  Her innovative and artistic eye was well paired with her business-smart intuition.  Badiaa’s influence brought Arabic Dance to the stage and her impact on the style of Raqs al Sharqui is seen today worldwide. Badiaa Masabni will forever remain a pioneer in this performance art that will be embraced for years to come.

Ziva Emtiyaz loves being inspired by the Wonder Women of the world.  Explore your inner and outer strength on the dance floor with Ziva in Arabic Dance II, Shimmy Pop, and Shimmy Pop Toning at Hipline.  Reach out to Ziva at ziva@myhipline.com and www.zivadancer.com .

Works Sited

Badia Masabni. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2013, from 
     http://www.belly-dance.org/badia-masabni.html 

Buonaventura, W. (2010). Serpent of the Nile. Northampton, MA: Interlink. 

Richards, T. (Ed.). (2000). The Belly Dance Book. Concord, CA: Backbeat.

Konichiwa!  I’m writing from the depths of Japan as I tour with Lebanese Master Percussionist Souhail Kaspar.  We are currently halfway though a full itinerary of teaching and performing in 5 Japanese cities.  While I know that the remaining 12 days of our tour will bring plenty of experiences and adventure, I’d like to share what I’ve learned so far as a traveling dance artist.

1.  Nice Luggage is Worth the Investment!

I’m only halfway through our trip and I’ve taken six planes, four trains, and plenty of taxis.  Durable, lightweight, east-to-transport, luggage is a must have!  Don’t over pack your suitcase as you’ll want to be able to transfer it easily and may want to bring home a few souvenirs.

2.  The Language of Human Movement.

When you travel to countries with a language barrier, knowing native words like “hello”, “thank you” and, in my case, “vegetarian” are vital.  Beyond words, facial expressions and hand gestures will communicate a lot.

I realize that when I teach dance workshops in Japan, my playful words like “juicy” and “big mamma hips” may be lost in translation.  Instead of worrying about students understanding the literal meaning of my diction, I dance out my words and use an expressive tone of voice.

One of my most comforting and magical experiences traveling in Japan has been witnessing the universal language of dance.  The same shimmy that is recognized in Berkeley is recognized in Tokyo and Cairo and possibly worldwide.  The fact that I have the opportunity as an American dancer to share my love for Middle Eastern dance with an Asian country shows the widespread passion and strength lying behind Raqs al Sharqui.  Music and movement can truly unite cultures.

3.  Be Prepared for Anything

The art of improvisation is a must have tool in dance and in life.  Any teacher knows that his or her lesson plan may need to be instantly altered to adapt to the level of the current student.  For this tour, I prepared 5 choreographies and a variety of theory exercises knowing that each city would have it’s own requests and needs.

I believe that a dance artist should consistently work on all elements of her craft.   She should practice and study her art even when there may be no specific upcoming project.  This will only help with easing into an on-the-spot situation and nailing a surprise opportunity.

4.  Rest Up Buttercup!

Sleep when you can! It’s a great idea to rest up even before your trip.   A dancer depends on her physical and mental energy so it’s important that she gets adequate down time.  Often a busy tour schedule will permit limited windows for resting.  Take advantage of them.  You’re email or whatever is keeping you up late at night will be there in the morning.  Get those Zzzz’s when you can!  Also, taking multi-vitamins and eating nutritious meals along the way will keep you healthy and strong.

5. Give it Your All

This may go without saying, but it’s good to remember that one opportunity often leads to another.  You never know who will be watching.

I was invited by Souhail Kaspar to do this tour because 4 years ago I gave it my all as a workshop student in one of his Rhythm and Movement classes.  Since that workshop, I’ve taken every opportunity possible to learn from Souhail’s mastery as a teacher, entertainer, world traveler, and percussionist.  I’m so grateful for each moment that I’ve been presented with to grow.  Treat each opportunity as a gift; you never know when you’ll be presented with another one.