Thread: Shaabi - Can someone explain it to me more and does anyone have examples

Hi Guys, I have posted this on oriental dancer to for best results...sorry if im repeating tons

I know a tiny weeny bit about shaabi as we do some moves in dance class but because im new to bellydance and its styles and techniques etc I get confused on all the styles.
What is the origins/history of shaabi and is it only ever a group dance or is there room for it being on stage because i typed in shaabi to youtube and thats performed on stage.
Is it more funky and relaxed? If the youtube clips of it are anything to go by i love it. Its more funky and loose and a bit more cheeky.
Sorry if what I have said is wrong and naeive but I am still getting to grips with all the styles.

Thank youuuuuuuuuu

Here's my understanding:

1) The word Sha'abi means something like 'of the people' and can refer to social or folk dancing from different countries AND different time periods.

2) In current times in BD circles, though, the word is typically used to refer to a style of music currently popular in Egypt (Hakim, Saad, Hoda are examples). (you'll come across older articles sometimes that use the word Sha'abi the way we use Baladi, referring to older folk/social styles)

3) We use the word to refer to dancing in the style people might dance to this music socially or in a club. Our Sha'abi dancing is a staged variation of the social dance.

4) It could certainly be staged either as a solo or as a group number.

5) Yes indeed it's loose and cheeky. Sha'abi music is considered low class, not quite acceptable, rebellious. The content is often quite cheeky (and can be political, so you have to choose your song wisely). Dancing to Sha'abi reflects that rebellious earthy spirit, usually with humor and teasing the audience.

This has been discussed a lot in several threads here in the past couple of months, I suggest doing a search on Bhuz and going back 2-3 months and you will find a ton of info on it.

thanks girls. I love the rebellious nature :)

As you are in the UK, I would also suggest you look out for Caroline Afifi. She is an expert in Sha'abi and I think she lives in Liverpool.

{{{HUGS}}}

Here's a shaby vs. beledi thread:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/music-trad...ifference.html

And "What makes it shaabi" back in March:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...i-discuss.html

yes I am going to be attending some of carolines workshops in the very near future. Thanks for the tips!

If you have the financial means to do so I would recommend that you study with Lena Helt in Stockholm. She's probably one of the best, "hidden" authorities on Shaabi in Europe.

Magdans - Orientalisk dans med Lena Helt - Kurs, möhippor & bellyfitness

I love shaabi....so fun! I'm going to use El Enab tomorrow for a bachelor party gig I am doing.

Originally Posted by david

If you have the financial means to do so I would recommend that you study with Lena Helt in Stockholm. She's probably one of the best, "hidden" authorities on Shaabi in Europe.

Magdans - Orientalisk dans med Lena Helt - Kurs, möhippor & bellyfitness

Lena will be attending Bellydancecongress so you will have a good opportunity to say hi and talk shaabi with her ..g.:

Here is a clip of Lena doing shaabi in Oslo:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jKXxTTUqaU]YouTube - Lena Helt in Oslo 2006[/ame]

Nice clip, Katja! Thanks for posting.

Shaabi, I love the "dirty" sound of the voices of Adaweya, Hakim and Saad. More than anything, Adaweya, because there's something fabulous in his voice I so like. Hoda is shaabi? And Fatme Serhan? Doesn't she have to be sort of Shaabi, too? I downloaded Hoda's ya helou f'il veranda and I love her passion. I did a lot of flamenco and I love the rough voices.

There's no beauty or elegance in the classical sense of the word, but a lot of fun, sense of humour, sassy joy and ..g.:
Amani Jabril does a very adecuate interpretation of el hantour, it's on youtube. I also love Orit's Fakerny ha atbak-interpretation.

i like shaabi because it's funky, and bouncy...that's how i'd like to describe my dance style. it's also usually happy sounding songs...and i love happy dancing lol