Thread: Who is the best for Ghawazy?

So who is the best teacher, in Egypt for Ghawazy? I have a friend going and wants to know?
Any thoughts......

Khairiyya Maazin, who lives in Luxor. She was the youngest of the Banat Maazin (Maazin sisters).

Thank you for this information, Shira! I'm interested in learning more about this style as well and will be in Egypt in February.

I should mention that Khairiyya doesn't speak much English, so you might want to engage someone who speaks Arabic to help you as a translator in contacting her and working out details of when/where to meet, price, etc. Her teaching style is that of follow the bouncing butt. I have followed her bouncing butt in 5 workshops so far, and would gladly do so again!

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Her teaching style is that of follow the bouncing butt. I have followed her bouncing butt in 5 workshops so far, and would gladly do so again!

And I would love to follow her bouncing butt whenever is possible !!
I've done many Reda style workshops on Ghawazee but this lady is authentic !!

Maria Aya

Denise Enan in Canada is fantastic - not only studied a range of different ghawazee styles first hand but can teach well and speak English!

Morocco is a good start, she actually spent time with the Banat Maazin, and is familiar with their style............in fact, just finished a 'comparative Romany' workshop with her, and Ghawazee was one of the techniques and culture taught...........

Habiba is also another teacher who has spent time with the Banat Maazin and teachers and performs the style.

Souzan

I was just going to recommend Habiba -- you beat me to it. She teaches a wonderful 2-day Ghawazee workshop that is very comprehensive. Also check her website The Habiba Studio for articles she has written about this style and about the Banat Maazin.

Habiba is such a wonderful resource. I keep telling her she should get started on Bhuz. She could add a lot to our discussions. She's also one of the funniest people I know.

Khairiyya Maazin, who lives in Luxor. She was the youngest of the Banat Maazin (Maazin sisters).
....my dear friend pepper, "alexanderia", of berkley calif lived and studied with this family.she put together a movie.we have hosted her here, she is a good teacher, and a hoot!
z

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Habiba is such a wonderful resource. I keep telling her she should get started on Bhuz. She could add a lot to our discussions. She's also one of the funniest people I know.

Hi Latifa - I'm pushing for Habiba to get on bhuz too. She's been having some problems getting on the site, but hopefully I'll have her up and running soon!

Originally Posted by zamora

Khairiyya Maazin, who lives in Luxor. She was the youngest of the Banat Maazin (Maazin sisters).
....my dear friend pepper, "alexanderia", of berkley calif lived and studied with this family.she put together a movie.we have hosted her here, she is a good teacher, and a hoot!
z

Hmm, is the movie available for purchase, I wonder?

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

Hi Latifa - I'm pushing for Habiba to get on bhuz too. She's been having some problems getting on the site, but hopefully I'll have her up and running soon!

That would be great! I used to have her Quick Start set and am borrowing her Gawaher dvd from my local belly dance library. SABA tried to bring her to Syracuse a while back, but it didn't work out, unfortunately. I would love to study with the lady!

Sahra has also0 spent time with Khairiyya Maazin. I have seen footage. I fyou have a chance to study with Sahra, do so.

{{{HUGS}}}

In Egypt, Khaireyya - have followed her bouncing butt and probably will do it again. Raqia Hassan (in Cairo) can put you in touch with her before you go to Luxor. PM me if you want Raqia's phone number.

In the US, Morocco in New York City, Alexandria in Berkeley, Sahra Saida in LA.

From what I've heard and seen Aisha Ali is also amazing if you can't make it to Egypt...

Originally Posted by Shaunte

From what I've heard and seen Aisha Ali is also amazing if you can't make it to Egypt...

can't believe it took 15 responses before Aisha's name came up!

i think i'd recommend Aisha over Sahra, for study in the so cal area.

Originally Posted by carolynn

can't believe it took 15 responses before Aisha's name came up!

i think i'd recommend Aisha over Sahra, for study in the so cal area.

I know Carolynn, I read the responses once more before posting just to make sure I didn't miss it, lol. BTW, Sahra herself mentioned her as an "Authority on Ghwazee"

Aisha Ali is tops in the US.

Also Edwina Nearing. She used to perform with them in Upper Egypt.

If you go to Luxor, don't miss Khairiyya Mazin. She's an undervalued treasure and needs our support.


See Edwina's articles about her on GS:
Edwina Nearing for the Gilded Serpent

Don't know if the address info is current. Raqia or Edwina would know. Also I've heard that some Luxor hotels "don't allow Egyptians (read dancers) in the rooms" so you might not be able to use your hotel room for a lesson.

Another good Ghawazee dancer in the US is Andrea from the San Francisco Bay Area, who dances with Alexandria and is on BHUZ. She's got that subtle hip thing DOWN. Awesome technique. See her blurb about studying with Khairiyya at The Giza Club (Navigate to "News: Postcards....Andrea etc. and then part five about Khairiyya.)

Originally Posted by Shaunte

I know Carolynn, I read the responses once more before posting just to make sure I didn't miss it, lol.

i did the same thing!

Buy Aisha's movie "Dances of Egypt" - well worth it - for an on-site look.

(I prefer that DVD of her filming the dances to the ones of her doing the dances.)

Morocco sells a video (#6 in her series) called Dances of Egypt, Nubia, and the Sudan which includes quite a bit of footage of Khairiyya Maazin performing with one of her sisters. It's excellent material to watch for anyone aspiring to learn Ghawazee.

And, in Canada, Hadia

Kitty

If she can't make it to Luxor, she could do worse than ask Mo Geddawi. He's generally a popster on the workshop circuit, but he knows a lot from the more folkloric side, too. I took a class from him years ago where he taught a Ghawazee flavored dance. He knows those steps fer sure. Including some obscure hand movements. Also speaks excellent English.

I did privates with Aisha on this dance, well worth it!!