Belly dancers, mark your calendars! Sahra Saeeda’s Journey through Egypt (JtE) dance education course is making its way to Sahara Dance this June, offering a unique and immersive experience into the world of Egyptian dance.
Sahra Saeeda: A Dance Ethnologist Extraordinaire
JtE, a two-part dance educational intensive, is the brainchild of Sahra Saeeda—a renowned performer, teacher, and dance ethnologist. Sahra’s extensive career as a performer in Egypt and years of in-depth research forms the foundation of this transformative course.
Sahra Saeeda’s dance journey started at the Arabic nightclub, The Cascades, in Los Angeles, CA. With a background in Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology, Sahra’s pursuit of growth led her to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a Masters’s degree in Dance Ethnology.
During her studies, Sahra found a mentor in Farida Fahmy, which paved the way for her research in Cairo. Six years as a local dancer at the Meridian-Heliopolis 5-star hotel granted her insights into the Zeffat al’Arusah and much more.
Today, Sahra teaches and dances globally, sharing her profound theories on dance in Egypt, the regions, the “tables,” and the interconnected nature of it all. With two annual trips to Egypt for ongoing research, Sahra continues to unravel the mysteries of the dance and the culture she fell in love with over 30 years ago.
Journey Through Egypt: A Cultural Exploration
Part I: May 31-June 2
Journey Through Egypt 1 is a captivating overview encompassing movement, posture, clothing, history, and cultural diffusion across different regions of Egypt. Sahra’s unique perspective traces the dance’s evolution from the homes of the people to the dazzling stages of Cairo. Dances studied include Bedouin, Ghawazee, Cairo, Sa’idi, Nubian, Haggallah, Suez Canal, and Fellahin.
Part II: June 7-9
Building on the foundation laid in part 1, Journey Through Egypt 2 delves deeper into the “Dance Zones of Egypt.” Participants explore a variety of dances, including Awalem Shamadan Farrah style, Cairo examples of Hassaballah, Beja Bravery Dance of the Eastern Desert, Bamboteyya of the Suez Canal, Awlad Ali Bedouin Hagallah dance, Zaggala of Siwa, Saidi Assaya, Firqit Zeffah, and more.
Certification
Participants who complete both courses will receive a Journey Through Egypt certification. Spaces are limited, so register today and save your spot.
Student Experiences
Katie
Sahra Saeeda’s Journey Through Egypt is such an important, informative, and interactive course for anyone who considers themselves a belly dancer. JtE underlined how much there is to learn about this art form, and really amplified my interest in folkloric dances.
Sahra is an incredible teacher, dancer, and friend. She has so many amazing stories from her time in Egypt; and she cares so much about staying updated on how dance continues to evolve, in each region and ‘table.’
A few years after completing JtE 1&2 at Sahara Dance, I had the chance to go to Egypt for JtE 3&4. That was by far the best trip I’ve ever taken. Each day is jam packed with activities, events, and special guest teachers relating back to what you learn in 1&2..
Photo caption: Katie dancing hagallah in Luxor, Egypt
Jennifer Anya
Sahra is an engaging teacher who provided “behind the scenes” insights on the essentials of Egyptian dance and culture, which would have been impossible for me to research on my own, but are invaluable to me as a student, performer, and teacher.
Every dancer stands to gain significantly from the JTE course. It explores regional Egyptian dance styles like Fellahin, Saidi, and Bedouin, along with their unique movements, clothing, history, and cultural significance.
I highly recommend JTE to anyone looking to deepen their understanding and connection to Egyptian dance.
Maria
JTE greatly deepened my knowledge of Egyptian regions, cultures, and all the different contexts in which we can see dance in Egypt, ranging from home-style dancing and local professional dance to representations of folklore for the national stage and how this all connects to Cairo dancing.
As belly dancers we can be seen as cultural ambassadors, and many of us do not have personal roots in the Middle East, so it is so important to study the origins of this dance to represent it respectfully. This course covers a great wealth of information from Sahra Saaeda’s many years of studying and traveling in Egypt. It’s also sprinkled with stories from her time dancing in five-star hotels in the Cairo scene, and her experiences in her personal friendship with the legends Farida Fahmy and Mahmoud Reda. I highly recommend it to all students serious about Egyptian dance.
Join us Journey Through Egypt
JtE is not just a dance course; it’s a cultural odyssey connecting students with Egyptian dance’s heart and soul. Take your chance to deepen your understanding and connection to the roots of this beautiful art form. Register for Journey through Egypt and let the cultural exploration begin!