Thread: Shamadan

So...I'm finally going to be learning shamadan! I'm so excited!

Here's my question:

Is it really really really hard to do? My candlabra will not be huge (not five-tiers...yet.....g.: )...and I'm normally pretty good with balancing things on my head, odd as that may sound, I practice balancing things on my head a lot. :)

I'm so excited! W00!..l;, ..l;, ..g.: ..g.:

IMHO, most shama3dans available on the market now are crap, impossible to fix, and just generally worthless (even if they are sold for $300). If anybody can find good ones, please let this jaded soul know!

The manufacturing defects are what make the balancing act tricky; shoddy shama3dans can wiggle and wobble you to a waxy, fiery end in your performance. Not even the best dancers can get around that one.

The more stable your equipment, the better chance you have at success. If you are unsure about your candelabra, I suggest taking it to anyone handy with metal (I found a guy who works with brass in the phone book). He/she might be able to fix any bits of it that suffer from Egpytian industry shortcomings.

However, some pieces may be beyond repair, and should be sent to your local scrap yard where they may meet other worthless shema3dan. I have a lonely one waiting in my living room.

Don't let ANYBODY tell you that shoddy manufacturing from an other country is an excuse for selling crap for ridiculous prices. More importantly, don't let ANYBODY tell you that balancing a candelabra on your head is impossible!

As long as we're talking about shamadans....

I saw some soy candles for sale in the store the other day. Has anybody ever tried these with a shamadan, and if so, how well do they work? How does their drippiness compare with traditional wax candles?

Shira:

I'm sure you know this, but they do manufacture drip less candles. Right off the top of my head, I can't think of where I've seen them.

My sister used to own a candle store and she said the soy candles burn cleaner
and they last longer. That's all I can remember about the soy candles.

Azeeza

PS Good to cross paths with you again on Bhuz!

Originally Posted by Azeeza

Right off the top of my head, I can't think of where I've seen them.

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

Ha! Off the top of my head. :) *laughs at the unintended shamadan pun!*


that was priceless. :)

What Kamilia said.

They're not too bad to balance - but they're rather top heavy. They'll forgive a little bit, but if it starts to go over, nothing will stop it. It "talks" to the dancer, so you can pretty much figure out what's going on at all times.

I learned a new lesson with mine JUST last nite: If you decorate it, or otherwise change it, be sure to practice with it and make sure you didn't "overdo it" with the decorations. I had added some crystal bobesches (wax rings) to mine - the weight was too much and made it TOO top heavy and unstable. I found this out at a dress rehearsal... ,m:: Just exactly what I get for ignoring my own rule of "test it!".

So the crystal bobeches are gonna have to come back off.

BTW, there's no such thing as "dripless" candles on a Shemadan. Dripless candles are only dripless in still air. Unless you're going to play living statue with your Shemadan, you'll have MOVING air...

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

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

Ha! Off the top of my head. :) *laughs at the unintended shamadan pun!*


that was priceless. :)

And I didn't even catch it ,r:; !

Azeeza

WZS (what zorba said) on the dripless candles ...

Make sure you use good quality candles and trim the wicks after each use. Ever since I switched to good quality tapered candles (started off with cheapo supermarket candles) I have had no problems with wax.

Also this might seem obvious ... but for the love of gawd don't use tealight candles!!!!! (Saw a pair of shamadan dancers recently and I swear they must have had tealights judging from candle height and the amount of wax spray that could be seen from the back of the room.)

As for quality, agree the ones I've seen recently from Egypt are less than inspiring. I've seen German ones that look good on the net but have never heard from anyone who actually owned one.

Awesome!
I saw a fun clip(not traditional) on google vid's with Shakira in a Shemedan set. I believe it was 2004 in europe but I don't recall exactly. any who...have fun!

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

So...I'm finally going to be learning shamadan! I'm so excited!

Here's my question:

Is it really really really hard to do? My candlabra will not be huge (not five-tiers...yet.....g.: )...and I'm normally pretty good with balancing things on my head, odd as that may sound, I practice balancing things on my head a lot. :)

I'm so excited! W00!..l;, ..l;, ..g.: ..g.:

1. Funny thing I found with shamadan is that once you have learnt to balance it, you always can. 6 months later, whack the thing on for a rehearsal or two and No Problem. Seriously.

2. Keep your center but don't be afraid of a little wobble. You will feel it if it is tipping past the point of no return and you can always just put your hand up to steady the base.

3. It is easier to spin fast than slow; has to be a very centered spin of course rather than a step turn

4. Spinning fast is fun

5. Don't let anyone convince you that shamadan should all slow and mysterious and boooring. It's a Celebration, it's fast, it's lively, it's the baladi girl cutting loose with a frigging flaming candelabra. Shamadan rocks.

I have a 3 tier, 13 candle and I have done some quite rapid level and direction changes, spins, backbends etc No problemo.

My main issue was that I tend to tilt my head down or to the side when I dance and I Couldn't do that with my beloved shamadan. Straight neck, pulled up and back, chip up. Make sure that your head is in the required position during the placement of shamadan as that is where it'll stay... so if you're looking down when you put it on, you'll be looking down the entire performance

And following Jilyan's advice above, I have Never had a wax spill! Ever.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

As long as we're talking about shamadans....

I saw some soy candles for sale in the store the other day. Has anybody ever tried these with a shamadan, and if so, how well do they work? How does their drippiness compare with traditional wax candles?

I have not tried them with a shamadan or any other balancing for that matter, but the one soy candle I have on the dresser at home liquifies like a votive candle as it burns.

Bumping this thread ;-) I am about to dive into Shamadan dancing any one else have advice? Yasmindiab, it has been a few years since this thread how did your story turn out, did you love it? I can't wait to get started.

:) Heather

While this thread is bumped back up -- in addition to advice on dancing with the shamadan, I'd like to hear suggestions on its care and feeding. I'm especially interested to know how you transport it in between home and class, gigs, etc. I'm not too keen to just wear it on my head in the subway. :)

Originally Posted by NisreenBrooklyn

While this thread is bumped back up -- in addition to advice on dancing with the shamadan, I'd like to hear suggestions on its care and feeding. I'm especially interested to know how you transport it in between home and class, gigs, etc. I'm not too keen to just wear it on my head in the subway. :)

..l;,
Oh please, Nisreen--if you *do* wear it on the subway, post pictures. THAT seems like something that ought to happen (though probably not too often.)

I'd been thinking about special ordering a trunk for mine. Right now, I transport it around either in a cardboard box (for my standard one) or in a sack/just hand carried tied up with bungie cords (for my collapsable one). The key would be getting something light weight yet portable and strong enough that I can fly with it. Haven't found it yet.

I LOVE SHemedan. I agree that you have to find the right one. I remember attending a workshop and just got irritated with it since it wouldn't stay on my head. I thought I couldn't do it. THen I got a good one and its like magic! Not so hard!
I tie a hipscarf or a choffon veil on my head to help hold it in place! The key is, as said before, is to not tilt your head but you can do almost anything with it!
BTW I am having a hard time finding the small candles that go in it. I had a slew of them that came with it but I am all out. Does anyone have any suggestions?
xoxo,
-NJ

I'm a huge fan of the Balance (I could put a 5-year-old up there and do floor work--no prob)
So I was excited about Shamadan---but I HATE MINE!!! I was wary of buying one on-line since I couldn't feel the actual product, yadda yada...so I bought one from local vendor.

I go out of my way to avoid wearing it---even when requested for parties. IT LOOKS LIKE A JUNKYARD sitting on top of my head.

I would love one that was stable, well-fitted and glorious and worthy of beautiful dancing. I feel like I am wearing a scrap-metal carcass.

I'm not much of a do-it-yourself-er (would much rather find a do-it-HIMself ) but if anyone knows of any high quality shamadan vendors, please steer me there, or if there is a way of adapting the one I have (4-tiers I think). It's just so crappy looking. Like a sad tree.

any advice?

Where do you get candles for it? Mine are very small and I am wondering the best ones to use?

Great information. I've been thinking of trying shamadan as well. So where is a good place to buy one? I found places that sell them for around $150 which is in my budget, but I am afraid of the craftmanship.
Does anyone have a good one? Where did you get it?

Candles:

Candles, Holders for Candles, Candle Making Supplies at Discount Candle Shop

I use the "household emergency candle" - but the (new to me) "plumbers candle" might be a good one also - if you have larger candle cups.

The thread "where to buy a GOOD shemadan" comes up from time-to-time. Seems the only decent ones are made in Germany - at least that I've seen/heard of. No-one imports the German ones to the US that I'm aware of - and I don't know of anyone who has tried to purchase/import one on their own, although it probably wouldn't be "that hard". (?)

Just to annoy everyone, here's my selfmade: ..l;,



And no, I'm not going into the Shemadan building biz! This is about six months of on-again, off again fabrication and experimentation with a one off candelabrum I found in a thrift store. Impossible to duplicate even if I wanted to!

Look for this one on top of my head at Rakkasah in a Shemadan duette!

Originally Posted by zorba

The thread "where to buy a GOOD shemadan" comes up from time-to-time. Seems the only decent ones are made in Germany - at least that I've seen/heard of. No-one imports the German ones to the US that I'm aware of - and I don't know of anyone who has tried to purchase/import one on their own, although it probably wouldn't be "that hard". (?)

They make really good ones in Brazil too!

My first Shamadan performance was a "fantasy" choreography -with ten other dancers with VEILS circling around me... on a really tiny stage

Originally Posted by yarahbellydance

They make really good ones in Brazil too!

My first Shamadan performance was a "fantasy" choreography -with ten other dancers with VEILS circling around me... on a really tiny stage

VEILS?!?

I'm officially impressed!

quick question.... just got a shamadan. Egyptian. Looks pretty crappy!! will see what I can do, or hubby can do, rather. Anyway, the question - How tight are they supposed to be on your head?
I watch some dancers get them on and they REALLY struggle to squash into them. it seems like a good idea to me that they be really tight, but should they be?

I always take out the foam and pad my shamadan with some stuff you get from Hobbycraft called fun foam.This makes the shamadan less wobbly as I fit it to my head with more foam at the back to keep it upright.
After many shamadan disasters I've found the answer to making it rigid use nail glue-honestly nail glue. By that I mean the glue you use to stick false nails on. you can never ever take it apart again but it is so solid. I've fixed up all my shamadan graveyard with it and I've 4 workable shamadan of different sizes now. Its really easy and works great.

I've gon into the care of shamadan and stuff pretty throroughly on my website if you'd like to read it
Rakscandi

When I'm doing zeffas for weddings I trim my shamadan up with silk flowers to match the brides colour scheme-looks very pretty and does not effect the weight. also if the ceiling height is low you can put flowers in the top candle holder to get a bit more clearance.

Here's me doing a zeffa

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the shamadan page on your site. I am new to shamadan and your info is so helpful! I really need to get the fit just right.

Originally Posted by Candi

I always take out the foam and pad my shamadan with some stuff you get from Hobbycraft called fun foam.This makes the shamadan less wobbly as I fit it to my head with more foam at the back to keep it upright.
After many shamadan disasters I've found the answer to making it rigid use nail glue-honestly nail glue. By that I mean the glue you use to stick false nails on. you can never ever take it apart again but it is so solid. I've fixed up all my shamadan graveyard with it and I've 4 workable shamadan of different sizes now. Its really easy and works great.

I've gon into the care of shamadan and stuff pretty throroughly on my website if you'd like to read it
Rakscandi

When I'm doing zeffas for weddings I trim my shamadan up with silk flowers to match the brides colour scheme-looks very pretty and does not effect the weight. also if the ceiling height is low you can put flowers in the top candle holder to get a bit more clearance.

Here's me doing a zeffa

Candi!! fabulous info!! and guess what??!! I have the EXACT same crappy shamadan you say isn't the greatest one to get! dammit......

Originally Posted by Candi

When I'm doing zeffas for weddings I trim my shamadan up with silk flowers to match the brides colour scheme-looks very pretty and does not effect the weight. also if the ceiling height is low you can put flowers in the top candle holder to get a bit more clearance.

Here's me doing a zeffa

Brilliant! And the pic is amazing.

*off to read Candi's site*