Thread: Spin off: Turkish veil

In the history/origin of veil dancing, a few people mentioned Turkish veil. Does anyone know any good examples of this? I'm really not familiar with it.

to us, it ment/means you dance it off...you wear it on.
we have 6 diff ties for this

I *think* Nesrin Topkapi was an enormous inspiration to American dancers. She's the only Turkish dancer (the only non-American dancer, actually) I've ever seen do the 'wrap.' Just because I havent' seen them doesn't mean they don't exist of course, maybe someone knows of others?

I think Nesrin is magnificent, and she's a Turkish dancer whose style is almost identical to what we often call 'American Cabaret' -- I suspect she was a HUGE influence.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lsIWY7AnlI]YouTube - Famous Turkish Belly dance,Nesrin Topkapi 1[/ame]



Antoher example from Nesrin:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vFGh83m4r0]YouTube - Nesrin Topkapı - (1981/82 Yılbaşı)[/ame]

Princess Banu also seems to have been influential on American style, but I can't find any examples of her doing veilwork.


Here's a Turkish dancer I'm less familiar with. She's doing veil, so I'll include her -- but I'm not a big fan of her dance style.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw7R61QT4zI]YouTube - Turkish Bellydance, Efruz part 2[/ame]

Oh, wait, here's Princess Banu with a veil.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIBcI3gbMsg]YouTube - Turkish Belly dancer,Prenses(princess)Banu[/ame]

ETA: This seems very very typical of what I've seen done in Turkish veilwork. A little more swirly and involved than an Egyptian entrance, but not a lot of tricks or ties, either.

tricks ?....what are tricks ?

What I mean by 'veil tricks' is almost anything where the dancer isn't dancing -- or isn't dancing much - and is making her veil do things instead of her body.

'Envelope' wraps (with or without the 'burqa peek'). tossing and catching it on the arms repeatedly. Moves where the veil spins around in front of the dancer (often has names like 'matador' or 'Hurricane' or 'tornado') Basically anything where the veil is doing more dancing than the dancer. Now I'd include Veil Poi (voi).

I'd also include unwrapping from various wraps.

Don't misunderstand me, I enjoy complicated veilwork when it's done well, I'm not knocking it in any way. But I can't point to any videos of Turkish dancers doing those moves. If you know of any, though, I'd really enjoy seeing them! I love the classic Turkish style videos, and I've had my eyes opened enormously in recent years to the similarities between Turkish style and what we call 'American Cabaret.'

I specify with my students the difference between 'technique' and 'trick'. I emphazise technique: knowing where the veil is, being able to work it without looking at it, not twisting or tangling, being able to dance well while using it.

They always want to know the tricks-but I try! Tricks: helicoptor, burrito, juggling (Aziza's terms), flame, mushroom (Bozenka), etc.

Hey Lauren,

Thanks so much for posting those clips!

Kahaz, what's the mushroom? I know all the Aziza terms, but have never heard of the mushroom.

theres also veil work in ciftetelli folklore

Can't say that I have heard of the mushroom either... do tell!

I really like the Nesrin Topkapi clips, thanks Lauren. Her style and moves do look a lot like the "American Cabaret" I was taught.