Filler
Photo of Shira

PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

Oriental Dance, Then & Now:
In the Middle East

Personalities
- Alphabetical Order by First Name
- Article List
Photo Galleries
Historic Landmarks
Articles and Historic Photos Featuring Multiple Dancers
Advertisements and Flyers
Movie Advertisements
Working as a Dancer

History & Folkloric Foundations
Society

Personalities

Alphabetical Order

Amina Mohamed
Badia Masabni
Bamba Kashar
Beba Ezz el-Din
Beba Ibrahim
Dawlath Soliman
Dina
Ensaf Rushdie
Fairouz Arteen (Child Star)
Fifi Abdo
Gawaher
Hekmet Fahmy
Hind Rostom
Houriya Mohamed
Imtithal Fawzy
Isaac Dickson
Ismail Yassin
Kuchuk Hanem
Layla el-3amriya (also known as Layla el-Chakraa, "the Blonde Layla", and Juliet Masabni)
Lucy

Mahmoud el-Meligy
Mary Ezz el-Din
Mary Mansour
Nabaweya Moustafa
Naemet Mokhtar
Nagwa Fouad
Naima Akef
Ratiba Rushdie
Safiya Helmi
Samia Gamal
Shafiqa el-Koptiyya
Soheir Zaki
Tahia Carioca
Zeinat Olwi
Zouba el-Klobatiyya

The above names reference the primary dancers featured in articles and photos. To see a more detailed list that include also-mentioned artists, see the Personalities of Belly Dance History Index to Resources.

The Articles

Amina Mohamed Amina Mohamed in a Snake Dance. Magazine photo from 1933 and translated caption. Badia Masabni Biographical The Life of Badia Masabni. 14-part article by Tarek Hasham, translated by Priscilla Adum. Part 1, Queen of Misery. Her early childhood in Syria and Argentina. Part 2, Unlimited Pain. Badia's return to Syria (after Argentina) and her move to Lebanon with her mother. Part 3, Thwarted Marriages. How Badia's family thwarted two marriage opportunities for Badia and made her live in squalor. Part 4, First Time in a Theater. Badia finally arrives in Egypt to pursue her dream of being an actress. Part 5, The First Big Break. Badia continues to develop her acting skills in Egypt, then moves to Beirut. Part 6, Pain in Damascus. Badia's career change from acting to singing and dancing, and her rise to stardom in Beirut. Part 7, Beloved of the Public. Badia's continued stardom in Syria and Lebanon, her illness with smallpox, and the death of her mother. Part 8, The Seeker of Love. Badia continues her singing and dancing career, adopts a daughter, and deals with man troubles. Part 9, Crazy About Badia. In this segment, Badia continues her career as a singer and dancer in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt. Part 10, Naguib el-Rihani. Badia finds new fame as an actress with Naguib el-Rihani's troupe in Egypt. Part 11, Marriage to Naguib el-Rihani. Badia marries Naguib el-Rihani and moves on to the next chapter in her life. Parts 12 through 14 will be added in the future. Historic Photos of Badia Masabni. Her career and her personal life. Collected by Priscilla Adum. Was Badia Masabni Lebanese or Syrian? Priscilla Adum settles the question by explaining how Middle Eastern people view origins. Celebrity Bare Backs of the Golden Era. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Photos of Badia and four other celebrity women. Tahia and Badia Feeding the Chickens. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Badia Masabni with Old Friends. Collected by Priscilla Adum. Badia poses for a 1966 photo at her dairy farm in Lebanon with her longtime Egyptian and Lebanese celebrity friends. Badia the Club Owner Badia Masabni: The Lady and Her Clubs. By Priscilla Adum. About Badia's career as a club owner in Egypt. Badia Masabni's Years as a Club Owner: A Timeline. From opening Sala Badia in 1926 through selling Casino Opera in 1950. Badia Masabni: Fish of the Month. George Sawa explains how the word "fish" is used in Arabic to compliment a dancer. The Blind Bridge and the English Bridge. About the bridges mentioned in the advertisements for Badia's summer clubs in Giza. Badia Masabni: Bada3da3. Badia Masabni takes her show on the road, as reported by a 1933 issue of Al Aroussa Magazine. Badia Masabni on El Sabah Magazine Cover. Badia was featured on the cover of El Sabah magazine in 1933. Badia Masabni on Cover of Kawakeb Magazine. Badia was featured on the cover of Kawakeb magazine in 1933. Badia Masabni's Dancers in 1935. Group photo of dancers who were Badia's cast in 1935. Badia Masabni's Dancers and the Stage Names of Actresses. Group photo of performers at Badia Masabni's club in the early 1930's. Also a short paragraph about stage names in Egypt. Badia Masabni Fights Back Against the Competition. By Priscilla Adum. Badia prepares a new show with her star entertainers. Badia Masabni Satirizes the Hollywood Stars. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Artists and Journalists at Badia's. Translated by Priscilla Adum. A review of the new show in 1938 Badia planned to present for her comeback to the theater. Three Hours at Badia Casino's Program. Magazine review of one of the shows presented at Badia's Casino. 1940 Newspaper Story About the Gala Opening of Cinema Opera. Badia's theater troupe performed for the opening of this movie theater. Interviews Badia Masabni Segment of 1928 Interview with Nagib el-Rehani. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Badia Masabni December 3, 1938 Newspaper Interview. Translated by Priscilla Adum. After Beba Ezz el-Din swindled Badia's nightclub away from her, Badia discusses plans to come back better than ever! How Badia Masabni and Beba Ezz el-Din Learned to Dance. Translated by Priscilla Adum. 1930's interview with both dancers. 1966 Television Interview with Badia Masabni. Translated by Priscilla Adum. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Badia Masabni remains a legend even today in Egyptian entertainment industry history. Ads for Badia's Shows at Her Clubs See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for translations of advertisements promoting shows at Badia Masabni's clubs.
Bamba Kashar Bamba Kashar: A Legend of Raqs Sharqi. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Aziza Amer: Producer of the First Egyptian Feature-Length Film. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Includes information about Bamba Kashar's role in that film. Beba Ezz El-Din Beba Ezz el-Din was a Lebanese dancer who worked at Badia's clubs. Badia Masabni: The Lady and Her Clubs. By Priscilla Adum. Includes details of Beba Ezz El-Din's relationship to Badia. Beba Ezz el-Din Wins Beauty Contest at Badia's Sala. 1933. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Beba Ezz el-Din Investigated for Theft, July 15, 1935. Translated by Priscilla Adum. How Badia Masabni and Beba Ezz el-Din Learned to Dance. Translated by Priscilla Adum. 1930's interview with both dancers. 1933 El Sabah Movie Magazine Cover. Featured Beba Ezz el-Din. 1951 Newspaper Article About Death of Beba Ezz el-Din. Translated by Priscilla Adum. See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for translations of advertisements promoting shows at Beba's clubs. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Bamba Kashar was one of the legendary dancers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Beba Ibrahim Beba Ibrahim was an Egyptian dancer who worked at Badia Masabni's club for a time. Farid al-Atrache and Beba Ibrahim. Translated by Priscilla Adum. How an affair got Beba fired from her job. Dawlath Soliman Dawlath Soliman: Dancing with a Gunshot Wound.
Dina Dina Interviewed by Wael El Abrashy for 2 x 2 in September 2010. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Dina Interviewed by Wafaa el Kilany in October 2010, Responding to Criticism from Nagwa Fouad. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Dina Interviewed by a French Television Channel in January 2011, On the Release of Dina's Autobiography. Translated into by Priscilla Adum. Dina Interviewed in May 2011, "My Dancing Will Help Egypt Get Through Its Economic Crisis". Translated by Priscilla Adum. Dina Says Farewell to Warda. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Dina pays her respects as Warda's coffin is transferred onto an airplane for her final journey home to Algeria. Dina Prevented from Dancing at a Wedding in October 2012. Translated by Priscilla Adum. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Dina performs at the nightclub in the Semiramis hotel in February 2017. Ensaf Rushdie Ensaf and Rateba Rushdie. On the cover of El Sabah Magazine. 1932. See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for translations of advertisements promoting shows at the Rushdie Sisters' clubs. Fairouz Arteen (Child Star) Fairouz the Movie Miracle: From Stardom to Obscurity. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Isaac Dickson: Dance Instructor to the Stars. By Priscilla Adum. Rest in Peace, Fairouz Arteen Kalevan. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Fifi Abdo Fifi Abdo Admits She Is Jealous of Lebanese Women. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Fifi Abdo: "The Israelis Knelt Before Me." Translated by Priscilla Adum. Gawaher Gawaher, Lebanese Golden-Era Dancer. 1956 interview about her retirement from stage and screen.
Hekmet Fahmy Hekmet Fahmy: Profile of a Spy. By Priscilla Adum. Hekmet Fahmy, The Spy. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Three Hours at Badia Casino's Program. Magazine review of one of the shows presented at Badia's Casino. See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for advertisements from the 1930's promoting shows at Badia Masabni's clubs, because several of these featured Hekmet Fahmy. Hind Rostum Hind Rostum Interviewed in 2010 by Mahmoud Sa3ad. She talks about show business and her family. Hind Rostum: A Great Loss to Egyptian Cinema & Dance. News story about Hind Rostum's August 2011 death. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Houriya Mohamed Houriya Mohamed: Taheya Carioca's Arch-Rival. By Priscilla Adum. The competition, the cat fights, and the sabotage! See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for advertisements from the 1930's - some promote shows featuring Houriya Mohamed. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Hind Rostum embraces Omar Sharif in a scene from a movie they made together. Imtithal Fawzy Imtithal Fawzy: Extortion in the Golden Era. By Priscilla Adum. Imtithal Fawzy: The Murder of a Beautiful Dancer. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Casino El-Bosphore: The Search for a Murder Scene. By Priscilla Adum. Examines information about the club where Imtithal died, in a quest to pinpoint where it was. 1936 Advertisement for El Bosphore Under Mary Mansour and Imtithal Fawzy. Promoting a show that began eight days before Imtithal was murdered on her own stage. See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for advertisements from the early 1930's promoting shows at Badia Masabni's clubs, because somel of these featured Imtithal Fawzy. Isaac Dickson Isaac Dickson: Dance Instructor to the Stars. By Priscilla Adum. Ismail Yassin The Comic and the Villain: Ismail Yassin and Mahmoud el Meligy. By Priscilla Adum.
Kuchuk Hanem The Dancer of Esna. By William H. Peck. Layla el-3amriya Her real name was Juliet Masabni, the adopted daughter of Badia Masabni. Also known as Layla el-Chakraa and the Blonde Layla. Badia Masabni's Dancers and the Stage Names of Actresses. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Group photo of performers at Badia Masabni's club in the early 1930's. The Seeker of Love. Tells of Badia Masabni adopting the child Juliet. Lucy Lucy Interviewed by Inas el Degheidy in Ramadan 2010. Transcript translated by Priscilla Adum. Lucy Talks About Zouba el-Klobatiyya. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Lucy's Parisiana Club Destroyed in 2011. Translated by Priscilla Adum.
Mahmoud el-Meligy The Comic and the Villain: Ismail Yassin and Mahmoud el Meligy. By Priscilla Adum. Mary Mansour Mary Mansour: The Club Owner Who Launched Careers. By Priscilla Adum. Photos and profile of her career. Casino El-Bosphore: The Search for a Murder Scene. By Priscilla Adum. Examines information about the club Mary co-owned with Imtithal Fawzy, in a quest to pinpoint where it was. See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for two advertisements from the 1930's promoting shows at Mary Mansour's clubs. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Mary Mansour was a popular entertainer and club owner in Egypt in the 1920's and 1930's. MaryEzz el-Din Mary Ezz el-Din: Casino Owner, Actress, and Singer. Profile by Priscilla Adum. See the section below titled Advertisements and Flyers for three advertisements from the 1930's promoting shows at Mary Ezz el-Din's clubs.
Nabaweya Moustafa The Sebou (with Nabaweya Moustafa in a Movie Scene). By Priscilla Adum. Naemet Mokhtar About Naemet Mokhtar. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Naemet Mokhtar Breaks 30 Years of Silence. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Nagwa Fouad Nagwa Fouad Interviewed by Wael el-Abrashi in Ramadan 2010. Translated by Priscilla Adum. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Nagwa Fouad poses in a publicity photo. Naima Akef Three Nights I Will Never Forget. Naima Akef reminisces about her memorable moments. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Egypt's Golden Era Stars Comment on Liquor. Includes Naima Akef with a photo and quotable quote. Ratiba Rushdie Ensaf and Rateba Rushdie. On the cover of El Sabah Magazine. 1932. 1930's Ad Promoting the Rushdie Sisters' Show in Asyut. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Safiya Helmi Farewell to The El Gandoul Nightclub on El Haram Street. By Priscilla Adum. The destruction of a Golden Era nightclub. The Mystery of the Arcadia Nightclub. By Priscilla Adum. Why did articles in Arabic mention a club called The Arcadia, but local newspapers had no articles or ads about it?
Samia Gamal Samia Gamal Interviewed by Fouad Moawad in 1968. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Tahia Carioca Interviewed by Mona Gaabr and Samia Gamal Interviewed by Tarik Habib. Translated by Mahmoud Sami. Samia Gamal Inteviewed by Tarek Habib About Farid al-Atrache. Translated by Priscilla Adum. "Samia Gamal Danced with Me in Her 60's". Translated by Priscilla Adum. Historic Photos of Samia Gamal. Photo gallery. Collected by Priscilla Adum. Isaac Dickson: Dance Instructor to the Stars. By Priscilla Adum. Samia Gamal: Biographical Profile from Dahsha. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Samia Gamal Talks About Farid al-Atrache in an Interview. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Samia Reminisces About the Ramadan Iftar She Held for Hollywood Friends. Guests included Spencer Tracy, Rhonda Fleming, Jane Powell, Arlene Orcia, Robert Taylor, and George Marshall. Samia Gamal Models Spring Fashions. In 1949 issue of Kawakeb Magazine. Van Leo: Photographer to the Stars. Photos by the legendary photographer featuring many Golden-Era dancers. Collected by Priscilla Adum. Rushdy Abaza: The Don Juan of Egyptian Cinema. Includes information about Rushdy Abaza's marriage to Samia Gamal. Translated by Priscilla Adum. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Samia Gamal performs in a scene from the movie Sigarah wa Kass (A Glass and a Cigarette). Shafiqa el-Koptiyya Shafiqa el-Koptiyya: The Dancer Whose Horses Drank Champagne. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Shafiqa el-Koptiyya or Not? What do YOU think? Translated by Priscilla Adum. Soheir Zaki Tahia or Soheir? Similar Legends, Which Are True?
Taheya Carioca Taheya Carioca Interviewed by Mona Gaabr and Samia Gamal Interviewed by Tarik Habib. Translated by Mahmoud Sami. Onscreen Special About the Documentary Carioca. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Taheya Carioca: Dancing as Oum Kalthoum Sang. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Taheya or Soheir? Similar Legends, Which Are True? Taheya Carioca? Or Karioka, Carioka, Karioca, Karyuka, Caryoka or Karruka? By Priscilla Adum. The correct way to spell Taheya's stage name, and the reasons behind it. Houriya Mohamed: Taheya Carioca's Arch-Rival. By Priscilla Adum. The competition, the cat fights, and the sabotage! Taheya and Badia Feeding the Chickens. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Rushdy Abaza: The Don Juan of Egyptian Cinema. Includes information about Rushdy Abaza's marriage to Taheya Carioca. Translated by Priscilla Adum. 1936 Newspaper Ad for Khafir el-Darak. Taheya Carioca's first performance of raqs sharqi in cinema. Translated by Priscilla Adum. 1949 Taheya Carioca and Friends at the Exposition. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Taheya attends the Sixteenth Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition with several friends. 1949 Ad with Taheya Carioca Endorsing Skin Soap. Photo and translation. Plot Synopsis for Episode 1 of the Carioca 30-Part Television Series. Summarizes the story line of the opening episode for the series that was broadcast on satellite television during Ramadan in 2012. ABOUT THE PHOTO: Taheya Carioca dances in a scene from the movie Shatie al-Gharam (Shore of Love). Zeinat Olwi About Zeinat Olwi. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Zouba el-Klobatiyya Yousef El Sherif Discusses Zouba el-Klobatiyya. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Lucy Talks About Zouba el-Klobatiyya. Translated by Priscilla Adum.

Photo Galleries

Historic Photos of the Golden Era. Photos of Bamba Kashar, Oum Kalthoum, Taheya Carioca, Hekhmet Fahmy, and other Egyptian celebrities. Collected by Priscilla Adum.
Historic Photos of Badia Masabni. Photos showing both Badia Masabni's career and her personal life. Collected by Priscilla Adum.
Van Leo: Photographer to the Stars. Photos by the legendary photographer featuring many Golden-Era dancers. Collected by Priscilla Adum.
Gabriel Lekegian: Capturing Memories of Egypt. Features photos taken between 1870 and 1890. Collected by Priscilla Adum.

Historic Landmarks

Cabarets, Casinos, Salas, Theaters, and Cinemas: Entertainment Venues in Egypt's Golden Era. Differences between these different types of places.
Blind Bridge and English Bridge: Neighborhood of Badia Masabni's Summer Casino. The back story about the bridge mentioned in Badia Masabni's ads for her summer entertainment.

Articles and Historic Photos Featuring Multiple Dancers in One Piece

New and Second-Hand Costumes: Our Elegant and Not-So-Elegant Dancers. 1930's article gossiping about the costuming quirks of dance celebrities of the time. Includes Safiya, Beba, Houriya Mohamed, Hekmet Fahmy, Fathya Fouad, Kawsar, Taheya Carioca, Karima Ahmed, Hekmet Kamel, Khayria Sadki, and Mounira Mohamed.
Egypt's Golden Era Stars Comment on Liquor. Includes Ragaa Abdou, Raqia Ibrahim, Taheya Carioca, Faten Hamama, and Naima Akef with a photo and quotable quote.
From Badia's at El Giza to Road El Farag: Backstage At The Summer Casinos. Gossipy article about what dancers in the 1930's nightclub scene in Egypt said and did backstage.

Advertisements and Flyers

These advertisements and flyers promoted shows in Egypt featuring music, theater, and dance. Most of these were presented in Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria. Collectively, they offer a view of the types of shows being performed and who the prominent artists were.

Before 1920

Year	Name	City	Owner	Comments
1889	San Estefano Station	Alexandria, Egypt	Not identified	Promotes a performance by a "Raqs Arabi" dance troupe. July 2, 1889.
1917	Abbaye des Roses and Casino de Paris	Cairo, Egypt	Not identified	This club, next door to the restaurant Alfi Bey, was later known under the names Shahrazad and Casino Romance. February 1, 1917.

1920's

Year	Name	City	Owner	Comments
1920	El Bosphore	Cairo, Egypt	Not identified	Promotes Na3ma el-Masreya, the Queen of Song. At Station Square (known today as Ramses Square). May 10, 1920.
1925	Ramses Theater	Cairo, Egypt	Youssef Wahbe	Promotes a performance by Turkish dancer Blanche Hanem and her troupe. June 6, 1925.
1926	Theater el-Azbakiya	Cairo, Egypt	Not identified	Promotes a performance by Oum Kalthoum. March 5, 1926.
1926	El Bosphore	Cairo, Egypt	Not identified	Promotes Victoria Moussa Troupe in the rooftop cafe. A group who presented musical theater plays. October 31, 1926.
1926	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Grand opening. Singing and dancing by Badia with her musicians. November 4, 1926.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes the guest singer and accompanying band. January 25, 1927.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes the musicians for the show. March 10, 1927.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes that evening's show. Also announces that Afranza Hanem has arrived in Cairo and will be dancing soon! March 29, 1927.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Advertises the musicians for the current show and builds anticipation for Turkish dancer Afranza Hanem's performance the next day. March 30, 1927.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes Turkish dancer Afranza Hanem as the headliner, on the 5th day of her engagement there. April 5, 1927.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes Samiha Baghdadi and Leyla as guest artists. November 20, 1927.
1927	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes the entertainers for the show. December 10, 1927.
1928	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Musicians, dance, comedy impersonations. June 1, 1928.
1928	Sala Badia (Summer)	Alexandria, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Grand opening. Music, comedy, and dance. June 16, 1928.
1928	Sala Badia (Summer)	Alexandria, Egypt	Badia Masabni	A midsummer show with singing, dancing, and monologues. July 10, 1928.
1928	Sala Badia (Summer)	Alexandria, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes final show before closing in the autumn. September 8, 1928.
1928	Printania Theater	Cairo, Egypt	Not identified	Promotes Afranza Hanem and Mounira al-Mahdiya. September 11, 1928.

1930's

Year	Name	City	Owner	Comments
1930	Sala Soad Mahasen and Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Soad Mahasen and Badia Masabni	Double ad promoting two nightclubs on Emad el-Din Street in Cairo - the ones owned by Soad Mahasen and Badia Masabni. April 5, 1930.
1930	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Grand opening. Music, comedy, and dance. May 8, 1930.
1930's	None	Cairo, Egypt	Anissa and Nabaweya Masreya	Promotes a troupe of awalem based on Mohamed Ali Street.
1930's	None	Cairo, Egypt	Anissa and Nabaweya Masreya	Promotes a troupe of awalem based on Mohamed Ali Street.
Early 1930's	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Probably from the early 1930's.
Early 1930's	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Badia performing songs, monologues, and Tunisian dancing.
1930's	El Khadawia Garden	Asyut, Egypt	Ensaf and Ratiba Rushdie	Comedy, raqs sharqi, female impersonator, and more.
1930's	El Sala El Masreya	Cairo, Egypt	Mary Mansour	Show with Hekmet Fahmy, Fathya Fahmy, Karima Ahmed, Soad Osman, and Hind.
1930's	Casino Alf Layla	Alexandria, Egypt	Beba Ezz el-Din	At Raml Station. Previously the Ozonia.
1930's	Casino Ezz el-Din	Cairo, Egypt	Mary Ezz el-Din and Youssef Ezz el-Din	On Emad el-Din Street.
1930's	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Referred to the location as Badia's Garden. The cast included heavenly creatures from Marrakech! The program included a play called Zaghrouta Ya Habaiab!
1930's	Casino el Masry	Alexandria, Egypt	Fathya Ahmed	At Camp Shizar on the Corniche. Includes a brief biography of Fathya Ahmed.
1931	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Emphasizes the facility (cinema, stage, and cabaret) rather than the show.
1931	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Opening night advertisement, identifying the performers in the show. Appeared May 31, 1931.
1932	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes plays, sketches, monologues, and songs.
1932	Badia's Garden	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Lists the performers. Says today are the horse races. 1932.
1933	Badia's Summer Club	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Included a female impersonator on the roster.
1933	Badia's Summer Club	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes a show called The Eccentricities of Women which satirizes Hollywood women wearing men's clothing.
1933	Casino Camp Shizar	Alexandria, Egypt	Soad Mahasen	First of two ads for the same show. Promotes a show at the beach.
1933	Casino Camp Shizar	Alexandria, Egypt	Soad Mahasen	Second of two ads for the same show. Promotes a show at the beach.
1934	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Included a play titled Kharouf el Eid, a title which referenced the Islamic holiday Eid el-Adha.
1935	Alhambra Theater	Cairo, Egypt	Not identified	Unusual performance by Badia's troupe at a theater that Badia didn't own. Also some information about that theater building today.
1935	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	A cast of 60 people. Includes a Pharaonic-themed play titled Apis the Calf.
1935	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Includes a play titled Battle of Dogs, Cats, and Rats. Promotes a show at Sala Badia with a Pharaonic musical segment, several comedies, Spanish dance with castanets, and more.
1935	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Mentions the show Famous Women as being part of the program.
1935	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Photo showing the cast of the play Famous Women.
1935	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Promotes her final play before leaving the theater stage to pursue a movie career.
1935	Casino Rateba & Ensaf Rushdie	Cairo, Egypt	Ratiba and Ensaf Rushdie	Promotes the grand opening of the Rushdie Sisters' new establishment on Alfi Bek Street. October 24, 1935. Placed online July 21, 2019.
1936	El Bosphore	Cairo, Egypt	Mary Mansour and Imtithal Fawzy	Promoting a show that began eight days before Imtithal was murdered on her own stage.
1936	Casino Monte Carlo	Alexandria, Egypt	Mustafa Ibrahim	The performers were the Houriya Mohamed Troupe. In the El Shatbi neighborhood.
1936	Casino Alf Layla	Alexandria, Egypt	Mohamed el Dibs	At El Raml Station. Performance by Houriya Mohamed.
1936	Printania Theater and Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Printania owner not identified. Sala Badia owner was Badia Masabni.	Side-by-side ads promoting performances by Badia Masabni's troupe at two different locations. One for Sala Badia (Badia Masabni's club), the other for the Printania Theater. October 31, 1936.
1937	Casino Badia and Casino Rateba and Ensaf Rushdie	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni and the Rushdie Sisters	"Where Will You Go Tonight" in Al Ahram featured shows at Casino Badia and Casino Rateba and Ensaf Rushdie. February 27, 1937.
1937	Sala Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Beba Ezz el-Din	Advertises Sala Badia now under Beba Ezz el-Din's ownership. Comedy play with music and dance. Information on show times. March 10, 1937.
1937	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Grand opening for the summer. A play, comedy, and dance show. April 30, 1937.
1937	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	A cowboy show at Badia's summer club. August 10, 1937.
1938	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Show includes a play called Chokehold with comedy centering around gender confusion.
1938	Casino & Cabaret Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Grand opening of Badia's new club on Emad el-Din Street, next door to her former Sala Badia. Promoted Taheya Carioca as headliner.
1938	Casino Beba	Cairo, Egypt	Beba Ezz el-Din	Promotes a show at Beba's nightclub (the one that used to be Sala Badia).
1939	Teatro Beba	Cairo, Egypt	Beba Ezz el-Din	Promotes a show at Beba's nightclub. Ad appeared October 4, 1939.
1939	Casino and Cabaret Badia and Teatro Beba	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni and Beba Ezz el-Din	Rival ads, appearing side by side, for the two theaters next door to each other. For October 5, 1939 show.
1939	Teatro Beba and Casino & Cabaret Badia	Cairo, Egypt	Beba Ezz el-Din and Badia Masabni	Rival ads, appearing side by side, for the two theaters next door to each other.
1939	Casino Ezz el-Din	Cairo, Egypt	Mary Ezz el-Din and Youssef Ezz el-Din	Promotes October 15 show.
1939	Casino Ezz el-Din	Cairo, Egypt	Mary Ezz el-Din and Youssef Ezz el-Din	Promotes October 31 show.

1940's and 1950's

Year	Name	City	Owner	Comments
1940	Badia's Summer Casino	Giza, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Includes comments on the meanings of the terms "Sala", "Casino", and "Cabaret". The ad promotes performances by Taheya Carioca, Tsenrov Trio, and Ballet Madgishi. Also a 5-act play titled El Seet Walla El Ghena (Famous Rather than Rich)
1940	Casino Opera	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Announces the Grand Opening of the Casino Opera, scheduled for November 9. Promotes the first revolving stage in Egypt. Headliner was Taheya Carioca.
1940	Casino Opera	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Announces the Grand Opening of the Casino Opera, scheduled for November 14. Promotes the first circular stage to be used in Egypt.
1940	Casino Opera	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni	Show beginning November 30. Included Taheya Carioca and Ismail Yassin.
1940's	Casino Opera	Cairo, Egypt	Badia Masabni and Beba Ezz el-Din	Promotes Hoda Shems el-Din as the featured dancer. Says the Casino Opera will no longer allow artists to sit with patrons or drink alcohol with them.
1950	Casino Opera	Cairo, Egypt	Beba Ezz el-Din	Grand opening under Beba Ezz el-Din's ownership after Badia Masabni sold to her and left Egypt. Play, stand-up comedienne, dance, singers, show times.
1950	Casino Romance and Luxury Auberge	Cairo, Egypt	Fathya Mahmoud	The Casino Romance was previously known as the Abbaye des Roses (see link to 1917 ad above).

After 2000

Year	Name	City	Owner	Comments
2013	El Sawy Sakkiat	Cairo, Egypt	Mohamed el-Sawy	International Day of Dance celebration for women.

Movie Advertisements

Year	Movie Title	Dancer	Comments
1935	El Dahya (The Victims)	Houriya Mohamed	Shows four different ads that were used for promoting the film.
1935	Dr. Farhat (Dr. Farhat)	Taheya Carioca	The dancing was not raqs sharqi.
1936	Malikat el-Masareh (Queen of Theaters)	Badia Masabni	Announces the premiere.
1936	Malikat el-Masareh (Queen of Theaters)	Badia Masabni	Flyer promoting the movie.
1936	Khafir el-Darak (The Night Watchman)	Taheya Carioca	Taheya Carioca's first performance of raqs sharqi in cinema.

Working As a Dancer

Stage Names of Egyptian Actresses. Translated by Priscilla Adum.
Foreign Dancers in Egypt. Find out which dancers from around the world spent time working in Egypt.
Working in the Middle East.Sabriye Tekbilek describes her experiences as a dancer working in the Middle East.
Dancers' Performance Prevented at 2012 Wedding. Raising concerns in Egypt about self-appointed morality vigilantes.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Sabriye Tekbilek performs at the Khaleej Palace Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

History & Folkloric Foundations

Ancient Times

What Is Pharaonic Dance? What does it mean when a dancer says she performs "Pharaonic" dance, and where can you see performances of it?
Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 1: Are They Really Belly Dancing? By Andrea Deagon. Part 1 of this article. It examines depictions of dance from ancient Egypt and analyzes whether any show evidence of belly dance.
Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked? By Andrea Deagon. Part 2 of this article. It examines the use of nudity in Egyptian art.
Bible Verses About Dance. A partial list.

Medieval Times

The Qiyan: the Singers, Poets, Dancers, and Courtesans of Medieval Iraq. By Miftin al-Hadithi.
Aesthetics and Types of Dances in the Medieval Middle East. Translated by George Sawa.

Recent Centuries

Did Napoleon Really Behead 400 Ghawazee? You may have seen it mentioned in books or web sites about belly dance, but did it happen?
The Dancer of Esna. By William H. Peck. About Kuchuk Hanem.
Imagining Movement: Orientalist Paintings & Photographs of Middle Eastern Dancers. The facts behind paintings of dancers from the 19th century. By Kristen D. Windmuller.
Exposition Universelle 1900 in IRIS Magazine. About Egyptian dancers at the Paris exposition in 1900.
Casino Opera Photo. Photo by Captain Charles M. Cook. Shows what Badia Masabni's legendary club looked like in September 1944.
Farewell to the El Gandoul Nightclub on Pyramid Street. Historic club demolished in July 2011. By Priscilla Adum.
Men Cross-Dressing as Women in Middle Eastern Dance. When and where men in the Middle East performed dressed as women.
Aesthetics and Types of Dances in the Medieval Middle East. Translations by George Sawa of 10th century texts related to music and dance from the Islamic Golden Era.
Fact Or Fantasy? Which Belly Dance Urban Legends Should You Believe? There are many incorrect beliefs about the history of Middle Eastern music, dance, and apparel. Which ones are true?
Of Ballet and Belly Dancing. How much influence has ballet really exerted on belly dance? A historical look.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: This painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme is representative of the Orieintalist movement in art.

Folkloric Styles

Reda Troupe

Origins of Reda Troupe Dances. Based on a July, 2006 interview with Mahmoud Reda.
- Part 1: Beginnings. How Reda Troupe got started. By Shira.
- Part 2: Researching Folklore and Bringing It to Stage. The field research process, and determining how to adapt for stage. By Shira.
- Part 3: Costuming. Creating stage-worthy costumes from traditional attire. By Shira.
- Part 4: Music. Where the music used by Reda Troupe came from. By Shira.
- Part 5: Melaya Leff. Reveals origin of the dance and dispels misconceptions. By Shira.
- Part 6: Saidi. Background underlying Reda Troupe's Saidi dances. By Shira.
- Part 7: Hagalla. Reda's field research into hagalla and how he turned it into a dance for stage. By Shira.
- Part 8: Nubian. Where Reda Troupe's interpretation of Nubian dance came from. By Shira.
- Part 9: Fellahin. How Reda Troupe constructed the fellahin dances for the stage. By Shira.
- Part 10: Qalb fil-Robabikia. The culmination of Mahmoud Reda's life's work. By Shira.
- Part 11: The Reda Troupe Movies. The movies that featured Reda Troupe and the stories behind them. By Shira.
- Part 12: Other Dance Notes. Alexandrian dance, belly dance, Ghawazee, zar, and bamboutiyya. By Shira.

Society

Raqs Sharqi Dancers Reject Wahda We Nos Dancers. Reactions to a new satellite television station that broadcasts exclusively raqs sharqi performances.
March, 2012: Dancers Organize a March to Oust Egyptian President Morsi. Translated by Priscilla Adum.
A Dance For The Whole Family. Is it a dance of seduction, or a joyous family activity? Read this article to find out.
Middle Eastern Dance: The Spiritual Connection. Use of movement meditation in traditional Middle Eastern spiritual practices.
Why the Fuss Over Egyptian Style Music & Oriental Dance? Why so many people around the world believe Egyptian style is the "real" Oriental dance.
Egyptian Movies With Dance Scenes. A partial list.
Mini-Reviews of Movies Made in Egypt with Raqs Sharqi Scenes. Snapshots of a few movies and what their dance scenes are like.
Baladi. By Hossam Ramzy. The word "baladi" refers to a rich Egyptian cultural heritage. Egyptian musician Hossam Ramzy describes the culture that spawned the baladi dance style.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Ghawazee dancers, circa 1920.

Copyright Notice

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Oriental Dance, Then & Now: In the Middle East

Table of Contents

Personalities

Alphabetical Order

The Articles

Amina Mohamed

Badia Masabni

Biographical

Badia the Club Owner

Interviews

Ads for Badia's Shows at Her Clubs

Bamba Kashar

Beba Ezz El-Din

Beba Ibrahim

Dawlath Soliman

Dina

Ensaf Rushdie

Fairouz Arteen (Child Star)

Fifi Abdo

Gawaher

Hekmet Fahmy

Hind Rostum

Houriya Mohamed

Imtithal Fawzy

Isaac Dickson

Ismail Yassin

Kuchuk Hanem

Layla el-3amriya

Lucy

Mahmoud el-Meligy

Mary Mansour

MaryEzz el-Din

Nabaweya Moustafa

Naemet Mokhtar

Nagwa Fouad

Naima Akef

Ratiba Rushdie

Safiya Helmi

Samia Gamal

Shafiqa el-Koptiyya

Soheir Zaki

Taheya Carioca

Zeinat Olwi

Zouba el-Klobatiyya

Photo Galleries

Historic Landmarks

Articles and Historic Photos Featuring Multiple Dancers in One Piece

Advertisements and Flyers

Before 1920

Year

Name

City

Owner

Comments

1920's

Year

Name

City

Owner

Comments

1930's

Year

Name

City

Owner

Comments

1940's and 1950's

Year

Name

City

Owner

Comments

After 2000

Year

Name

City

Owner

Comments

Movie Advertisements

Year

Oriental Dance, Then & Now:
In the Middle East