Thread: is Fifi doing an 'uwehe?

I was looking at a Fifi clip, and the move she does repeatedly around 0:47 looks a lot like a polynesian 'uwehe! The simultaneous popping open of both knees? Does anybody else think so? I wonder if this is a recent thing of hers, or if it was just previously hidden beneath her skirts....

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TSLfl8vl74&feature=related]YouTube - Clip- 2 Hour Fifi Abdou TV Special Interview[/ame]

I think she is doing one. I have seen a lot of arabs do them lately. I just came from an all arab party and they were doing them and dropping down to the ground.(guys) It's not as pronounced as polynesian dance though

interesting! I agree fifi's is not as pronounced as I have seen some poly dancers do. she's just as quick though.

I'll be keeping an eye out now to see if I can notice any guys doing it too..

The steps at :47 don't look like uwehe to me -- looks like she's hopping onto one foot, quickly shifting weight on & off the ball of the other foot, then doing the same in the opposite direction. Typical Fifi, beledi, like the delicate girly version of the basic Saidi sidestep, with the quick step-ball-change instead of a hop. ( am I making ANY sense at all?) Fifi usually does these with a BIG chest lift, sometimes while traveling forward.

Am I studying the wrong bit of the video?

Looks to me like she's doing a little step ball change walk back w/shimmy.

I don't know what she's doing, but the fact that in a conservative suit she can put the most fabulous Sahar-wearing dancer to shame is just amazing to me.

I agree with Lauren. At 1.37 Fifi is doing the same thing or similar with the cane, it definately looks like a version of saidi and it is very Fifi-ish to me.

looks like and uwehe to me, but with a weight change, where in the uwehe the weight is kept on both feet

It's not new, it's one of her signature moves that she always does. She did it a lot during her workshops

I have to interject here to say, if I was that back up dancer, id have that stick bronzed :)

Nope, definitely not an uwehe. Even in a "loose" form, I would not say this is an uwehe of any type (lele, brush, etc.).

But I like it.

It reminds me of Denise Enan's little marking time step.

It strikes me that Fifi has very strong, crisp legwork going on, adding that nice "punch" she has on some moves.

ETA: I would just like to add that I think we need MORE presentations of well-preserved but matronly middle-aged women surrounded by undifferentiated lithe young dancing boys on our television screens.

whats a uwehe btw??????

Originally Posted by zumarrad

It reminds me of Denise Enan's little marking time step.

It strikes me that Fifi has very strong, crisp legwork going on, adding that nice "punch" she has on some moves.

ETA: I would just like to add that I think we need MORE presentations of well-preserved but matronly middle-aged women surrounded by undifferentiated lithe young dancing boys on our television screens.

LOL

Originally Posted by Shaunte

whats a uwehe btw??????

....and how do you pronounce it? .w.:

Originally Posted by zumarrad

It reminds me of Denise Enan's little marking time step.

It strikes me that Fifi has very strong, crisp legwork going on, adding that nice "punch" she has on some moves.

ETA: I would just like to add that I think we need MORE presentations of well-preserved but matronly middle-aged women surrounded by undifferentiated lithe young dancing boys on our television screens.

Love Denise's bouncy walk. She's just so lovable!

Re: the legwork, you can do this move by contracting the adductors on the weighted leg with each step-ball-change. Looks uber cool with a shimmy on it.

You're too funny, Zum. I think you and I - we'd get along just FINE!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

The steps at :47 don't look like uwehe to me -- looks like she's hopping onto one foot, quickly shifting weight on & off the ball of the other foot, then doing the same in the opposite direction. Typical Fifi, beledi, like the delicate girly version of the basic Saidi sidestep, with the quick step-ball-change instead of a hop. ( am I making ANY sense at all?) Fifi usually does these with a BIG chest lift, sometimes while traveling forward.

Am I studying the wrong bit of the video?

I thought the same thing Lauren. It looks more like a weight change, shuffle type step.

Never mind that... where do we get the complete 2 hr Fifi Abdo special!!!

Originally Posted by bul_bul_ksa

....and how do you pronounce it? .w.:

An uwehe is a traditional hula step, and it's pronounced oo-way-hee with the accent on the "way."

Originally Posted by kina

looks like and uwehe to me, but with a weight change, where in the uwehe the weight is kept on both feet

thats what I see, plus she is turning to the side, the uwehe is done over a figure 8

Originally Posted by Shaunte

whats a uwehe btw??????

the uwehe is a hule move try to do this:

Do a couple figure 8's going up, once you have that in you mind and body. Do one side of the figer 8 when you come back to the middle lift the heels and spread your knees a little, then complete the figure 8 on the other side. Like someone side its a 3 step move oo-way-he. EX: oo= start of the figure 8 on the right. way= poping the knees out. he finish the figuer 8 on the left. Its hard to get a hang of but once you do you can smooth it out.

she does 2 kinds here at 2.00 and 3.06 (basice uwehe, look closely it is a small move)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBHKY3Bhu0c&feature=related]YouTube - Merrie Monarch 2004[/ame]

check out the floor work, when I see American bellydance floor work, I think they got some moves from hula

I hope my hair get this long soon! love her hair!! I'm on my way!!

The uwehe (oo-way-hay) is lifting the heels off the ground and popping the knees out to the sides and swaying the hips. Usually a two count move - step, uwehe. There are several styles of uwehe. You'll find examples of on youtube under "kahiko."
teri

Originally Posted by toria_dances

the uwehe is a hule move try to do this:

Do a couple figure 8's going up, once you have that in you mind and body. Do one side of the figer 8 when you come back to the middle lift the heels and spread your knees a little, then complete the figure 8 on the other side. Like someone side its a 3 step move oo-way-he. EX: oo= start of the figure 8 on the right. way= poping the knees out. he finish the figuer 8 on the left. Its hard to get a hang of but once you do you can smooth it out.

she does 2 kinds here at 2.00 and 3.06 (basice uwehe, look closely it is a small move)

YouTube - Merrie Monarch 2004

check out the floor work, when I see American bellydance floor work, I think they got some moves from hula

I hope my hair get this long soon! love her hair!! I'm on my way!!

Thanks for the clarification..g.: Now that I know what a uwehe look like I don't feel that this isn't anything close to what Fifi does. She's got several variations on this signature move of hers but it's not related....