Possible Folkloric Styles

There are hundreds (if not thousands) of Middle Eastern folk styles.
Kashmir's area of study is based in Egypt but other regional styles are sometimes offered.
The following can, and have been, offered:

Andalusian

The term "Andalusian" in belly dance can be applied to either a Spanish/Arabic fusion - think flamenco with belly dance or to an interpretation to Andalusian style poetry (first choreographed by Mahmoud Reda in 1979). The latter is also known as Muwashshah. Neither interpretation is historically accurate dance from Andalusia but are fun additions to a belly dance repertoire.

Kashmir introduced her students to Andalusian during Seven Spices, the students then decided to follow it up with additional work.

Ghawazee

A fun - always shimmying - style. Based on the dance of the Banaat Maazin who were based in Luxor. Kashmir's students have learned two quite different interpretations.

And if you think that's all there is to learn, "Dancing Dreams" includes another - this time with zils - and cane - as well!

Khaleegi

Khaleegi is from the Gulf. Short pieces of Khaleegi dance are often found in classical raqs sharqi and a belly dancer needs to know how to respond to it. Kashmir also teaches it as a folkloric tableau in the beautiful thobe al-na`ish - this is a beautifully embroidered, very full, over dress which covers you from neck to ankle. Typical khaleegi moves include small, graceful steps, hair tossing, and playing with the thobe.

Nubian

Nubia spans the south of Egypt and north of the Sudan. Nubians belong to five main tribes - two of which (Kanuz and Fadija) are in Egypt. Kashmir has presented classes based on both the Kanuz style and the Fadija style.

Sa`iidi

Sa`iidi from as sa`iid - the highlands of Egypt - is a popular form of (usually) high energy dance. It often includes (raqs `asaya) or cane dance which combines dancing and manipulating a cane.

Kashmir has also presented a softer woman's style of sa`iidi dance at the 2006 MEDANZ Festival.

Sha`abi

Sha`abi is popular music. Not all of it is suitable for dancing to but Kashmir teaches a number of family and western friendly pieces.

Urban Beledi

"Urban Beledi" is used to cover the style of dance brought to, and developed in, Cairo and Alexandria as the fellahi moved off the land and into the cities. It is the dance of the people (awalâd il-beled); not the foreigners, not the intelligentsia. The phrase "awalâd il-beled" includes key concepts of Egyptian identity such as honour, good humour, living for moment, generosity, and a tough worldliness.

Milaya lef is a popular style of urban beledi.

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