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The
Saiidi is an exciting Egyptian folkoric dance performed
with a cane. The dance has its roots on El Saiid or upper
Egypt, in the south of the country. Originally the men's dance
that prepared them to fight with warring tribes, the Saiidi
was also often displayed at times of folkoric festivity. The
dance required martial art like concentration and skill to
weild the long, heavy staffs called 'taktib'.
Saiidi steps match the stealthy rhythm - reeling back
and lunging forward with a sprightly hop. The Saiidi rhythm
has a dom-tak in the first part of the rhythm, which suits
a front step and the the back foot comes up in a hopping action.
The second part of the rhythm is heavier with two doms - it
sounds like dom-dom tak. This creates the step back and next
hop.
The hopping gestures mimick the gallant steps of the Arabian
stallions - the horses the Saiidi warriors would ride
into battle. Nowdays, women dance the Raks Al Assaya - a feminised
version of the cane dance. It is earthy yet sprightly and
like the taktib, also requires skill and dexterity with the
smaller bamboo cane.
The
traditional costume is a kaftan with hip scarf and head
wear.
This is the way to twirl the cane step by step:
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1.
Start with the cane on the shoulder, hooked end away
from you (ie: NOT in your hand). Some dancers use an elastic
band tied to the end, about 5-7cm from the end to prevent
the cane from slipping out of the hand.
Lift the cane up and forward; it must be twirled
parallel to the wall if you were in a room. Keep the shoulder
relaxed and the wrist loose whilst twirling the cane.
The arm however must not go too low - the cane can be
twirled hight with the wrist near the shoulder, or lower
at chest level. |
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2.
The cane comes forward using
the strength of the wrist and hand closing around the
cane. Hand diagrams are shown below. This is the time
the hand is closed around the cane. Get
ready to relax the hand now as the cane comes forward
and down.
*The traditional way of cane twirling in Saiidi
dance is to twirl it forward. However it is sometimes
done backward, this however doesn't look as effective
and there is less control. So try to maintin the forward
twirling action! |
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3.
Open the hand and let the cane fall forward,
keeping the cane parallel to the body. A good way to practice
the parallel action is to twirl the cane near a wall, make sure
it is twirled perfectly parallel to the wall. A long cane may
hit the ground which disrupts its action.
Make sure your cane is not too long. Sequins canes look
great, but make sure the end of the cane is plain wood as the
sequins can be very sharp. |
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4.
The fingers apply some pressure to
the cane and lift it up again. Once you get usd to this
swinging twirl, and perfect the parallel action, you
can begin to do some exciting things with it:
a)
hit the stick to the ground and
recommence the twirling action
b)
hit to the ground and
when the cane 'bounces' back let it land on the shoulder
or in the other hand
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Thanks
to A-Z Teacher Kerry from Oasis Studio for photos - how to use
the cane - see her BIO
here
Article by Keti Sharif - saiidi fullt explained with photos
from Egypt in BELLYDANCE book |
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