Thread: So you can wear a taqiya?

So, I want to put together a Fifi-style ma'alima costume (white dish dasha/galabiya, hip scarf). I sometimes see her wearing a little cap that I believe is a taqiya (taqiyya, taqiyah). This is a little hat typically worn by men, often I think for Friday prayers at the mosque, although it's often worn out of a strictly religious context. I'm just trying to make sure it's acceptable for me to wear one for dancing. I know Fifi has never been exactly careful of controversy, but I can't imagine she would wear some sort of religious item with strictly prescribed rules around it and get away with it. I've seen it worn by a few other dancers too, and Ranya Renee wears one and talks about it on her baladi DVD. So I feel pretty confident it's safe; all the same I'd like to get some more opinions and see if any Bhuzzers have other ideas on it.

I've seen other dancers wear similar hats, but more like pillbox style.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

I've seen other dancers wear similar hats, but more like pillbox style.

Yes,even if Fifi wears a taqiya with her white male galabeya I still like the pillbox hats the best.

This is my favorite Fifi Costume:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz4nN2HesMg]YouTube - Fifi Abdo in Pink part I[/ame]

Here in Sweden most people call them Hanan-hats:)

You cannot wear one because *I* want to and I haven't done it yet!

It seems that it is OK and I am glad because I like them. For me it's another extension of the gender-play; I don't have long foofy hair, and while normally if I do folklore I wear some kind of scarf on my head that gives a sort of "hair" vibe, I would love a *charcoal* man's galabeya and a hat, as a kind of nod to one of my fave dancers, Tito!

The lovely Ranya Renee is wearing one in her instructional DVD (see clip around 0:30 sec.)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvnl6qucumQ&feature=fvw]YouTube - Bellydance Egyptian Style: The Baladi, by Ranya Renée : buy the set at WorldDanceNewYork.com![/ame]

Qamar

I like to wear a brightly colored hip scarf with my white gallebyia and use a matching scarf tied with a bow in my hair. I think the softness of the hair bow is a perfect foil for the masculine gallebyia.

I remember reading through the comments of a lovely baladi and someone ripped her a new ass for wearing one while "bellydancing". I'm not sure about it. He/she could have been some sort of religious person or it could have been some foreigner trying to act like they know what they are talking about. So, I am of NO help what so ever. Sorry!!

Originally Posted by zumarrad

You cannot wear one because *I* want to and I haven't done it yet!

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by Michelle75

I remember reading through the comments of a lovely baladi and someone ripped her a new ass for wearing one while "bellydancing". I'm not sure about it. He/she could have been some sort of religious person or it could have been some foreigner trying to act like they know what they are talking about. So, I am of NO help what so ever. Sorry!!

I wear mine regularly to do baladi for other dancers, but not the GP as I am sure they would not be able to handle it at all. But was surprised with experienced dancer and teacher asked me after a performance why I was wearing a nightshirt to dance in. She knew there had to be some significance but really had no idea what it could be. Not sure how much of my explanation of the malema balady woman sunk in. But it hasn't stopped me.

Souzan

Thank you everyone! I think I feel safe wearing a taqiya, although I do love the scarf around the head (don't think I could pull off a bow though.)

Originally Posted by Souzan

I wear mine regularly to do baladi for other dancers, but not the GP as I am sure they would not be able to handle it at all. But was surprised with experienced dancer and teacher asked me after a performance why I was wearing a nightshirt to dance in. She knew there had to be some significance but really had no idea what it could be. Not sure how much of my explanation of the malema balady woman sunk in. But it hasn't stopped me.

Souzan

That's amazing. Where have they been?
I am that set on changing people's ideas about the dance that I probably would wear a ma'alima costume to deliberately confuse them!