Thread: Which video to learn shamadan traditions?

I have a pretty good basic dance vocabulary and I'm reasonably experienced at balancing things like swords, candles, beer mugs .

I'm looking for a video that spends minimal time on breaking down basic moves and balancing and maximum time on Shamadan-specific information. I'd love to learn moves that are typical/traditional. My dream video would also cover Zeffa traditions in general and finger cymbal patterns for the Zeffa rhythm, but I realize that's asking a lot. Oh, I'd also love to learn about 'candle substitutes' like the parafin-soaked cottonballs I hear about.

Any recommendations? Or am I better off just studying performance clips at this stage?

I can tell you that Princess Farhana's balancing video does NOT contain what you're looking for. She focuses on "how to balance" and doesn't get into the cultural info at all.

Cory Zamora's sword/tray video talks about the paraffin-soaked cotton balls, but it doesn't cover any shamadan-specific cultural info.

You might want to get Morocco's video that has the dance concert with Nadia Hamdi doing shamadan. Nadia was considered the "queen" of shamadan in her day - her grandmother was taught shamadan by Shafiqa el-Koptiyya who was Egypt's leading dancer in the pre-Badia Masabni era. Shafiqa is often credited with being the originator of shamadan, though it seems Zouba el Klobatiyya originated the idea and Shafiqa, being already popular/famous her time, popularized it. Anyway, I'd consider Nadia Hamdi's performance clip to be the definitive demonstration of traditional shamadan dancing.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

You might want to get Morocco's video that has the dance concert with Nadia Hamdi doing shamadan. Nadia was considered the "queen" of shamadan in her day - her grandmother was taught shamadan by Shafiqa el-Koptiyya who was Egypt's leading dancer in the pre-Badia Masabni era. Shafiqa is often credited with being the originator of shamadan, though it seems Zouba el Klobatiyya originated the idea and Shafiqa, being already popular/famous her time, popularized it. Anyway, I'd consider Nadia Hamdi's performance clip to be the definitive demonstration of traditional shamadan dancing.

I would agree with this.
There is also Faten Salama's video on shamadan.which gives good practical advice on leading a Zeffa procession and then teaches a shamadan choreography.
There is a short section on Raqia Hassans technique 9 this has some moves but no background.

Thirding Shira's advice about watching Nadia Hamdi.

FYI, along with Morocco's footage Nadia Hamdi can also be seen on the Aswan Dancer's 'Nadia In America' video. She does shamadan on both videos.

Howdy. As a side note, the "Nadia in America" footage is a little sharper than the other video of her, at least on my copies, which makes it easier to see exactly what she's doing. Both are worth having, of course!

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I can tell you that Princess Farhana's balancing video does NOT contain what you're looking for. She focuses on "how to balance" and doesn't get into the cultural info at all.

Cory Zamora's sword/tray video talks about the paraffin-soaked cotton balls, but it doesn't cover any shamadan-specific cultural info.

You might want to get Morocco's video that has the dance concert with Nadia Hamdi doing shamadan. Nadia was considered the "queen" of shamadan in her day - her grandmother was taught shamadan by Shafiqa el-Koptiyya who was Egypt's leading dancer in the pre-Badia Masabni era. Shafiqa is often credited with being the originator of shamadan, though it seems Zouba el Klobatiyya originated the idea and Shafiqa, being already popular/famous her time, popularized it. Anyway, I'd consider Nadia Hamdi's performance clip to be the definitive demonstration of traditional shamadan dancing.

Hi, Lauren! FYI--I just posted on Bhuz Swap Meet and... I have the above VHS tape listed (and noted as a "recommended" item)!

I just did the Journey Through Egypt Level 1 with Sarah Saeeda. I don't know if she has any DVD's out on this, but I think she did her thesis on the Zeffa. She knows all about that. Maybe you could try emailing her? I don't know how else to get the info, but she knows a TON on that topic!

Aida Nour taught a Shamadan choreography at a Little Egypt event a few years ago . . . lots of fun but I don't remember if she went into many details about background. And she did perform in the Saturday show using the Shamadan . . . hmmmm, was that 2005???

Shamadan is totally different to balance from my experience and it can be a bit unnerving having all that around your head . . . my latent claustrophobia I guess.

My shamadan DVD doesn't go into history and tradition, but I have also written articles on the subject. There is one posted on my blog right now, called "Dancing At Weddings" that goes into some of the history of raks Shamadan, as well as practical tips for performing shamadan and doing zeffahs at weddings nowadys.
PRINCESS FARHANA

Wow, this thread is from two years ago. I found the info I wanted and danced a mock zeffa as the opening of my student recital last summer, then reprised it by request at someone else's show.

But I'll still read the article, thanks, Plez!!

Now on youtube!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5ZRxcb9uuI]YouTube - Nadia Hamdi performs with shamadan 1995, Aswan Dancers, Gilded Serpent[/ame]

Originally Posted by norma

Now on youtube!

for you and for GS!

LOL!

Ha...yep, I'll be trying that split in my next routine...NOT! Thanks, Norma, for postin!

Does Nadia Hamdi's shamadan have a DISCO BALL as part of the base?