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Fusion and Confusion

Shaia Posted by Shaia at 11:44 AM on July 20, 2009

In recent years it has come to my attention that many new belly dancers are drawn to fusion, and practice this dance form without ever learning the roots of the dance -- folkloric, Raks Beledi, Raks Sharqi.  Today I read this statement from esteemed instructor and performer Nourhan Sharif:


" For years I was fearful of the future of organic Egyptian Dance as there is so much fusion around and confusion abound... while fusion is fun it is indeed departure...we need to know what we are departing from!"


I could not agree more with Ms. Sharif.  Learn your basics!  Study the history of the dance!  One great source is Shira (www.shira.net).  Take workshops that focus on Egyptian style.  Watch youtube vidoes of everyday Egyptian people dancing at weddings and parties. 


Abstract artists learn realism before they move into abstraction.  If you are more interested in fusion than pure Egyptian dance, familiarize yourself with what you are trying to fuse.  In the process, you may find yourself drawn to the subtle complexities of true Egyptian dance!

 


~ Shaia

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2 Comments

Jasmine
reply Jasmine
06:02 PM on August 16, 2009
I recently attended a workshop in Madison with a well known fusion dancer and she pretty much said the same thing. She told us to really learn the different forms of dance and to honor them by doing them correctly. Once you have done this fusion is pretty much about combining the different forms in a way that is pleasing to you. As for Zills!!!!! Yikes. I have a really difficult time with them and I marvel at people who do intricate movements and zill at the same time.
Shaia
reply Shaia
06:14 PM on August 16, 2009
I learned to play the zills and dance at the same time by first moving in any way while I played, even just stepping in time to the music. To get comfortable and be able to play without thinking, I would play the Bellydance Superstars II CD every day and zill from beginning to end, even through the drum solos. (It actually became addicting!) For me, it required daily extended practice sessions, and finally just dancing with them. The dancing messed up my zilling and the zilling messed up my dancing, but eventually they came together. I have Rachel Brice's favorite yoga sitra on my desk: "In order for your practice to be grounded in the earth, it has to be done consistently, for a long period of time, with devotion." You can do it!