AWALEM further training - Assale Ibrahim

AWALEM further training dance projectA top-notch oriental dance educationwith Assala Ibrahimby magraphica • 2013 • thun • switzerlandAssala Ibrahim • Neuhauserstrasse 10 • CH-8500 FrauenfeldTel: 0041 (0)52 720 91 62 • Fax 0041 (0)52 720 91 60 • www.elassale.ch • tanzatelier@elassale.ch

AWALEM dance projectAwalem means ‚the knowledgeable dancer’ in Arabic. The Awalem were the highly respecteddancers of the Arabic world and, as the name implies, were well versed in danceas well as in music, singing, poetry, story-telling, history, politics and religion. Unfortunatelyover time they have lost their good reputation.It is Assala Ibrahim’s intention to promote and revitalize this tradition in today’s spirit.Are you an oriental dance student (intermediate/advanced) or teacher?Are you lacking in background knowledge, technique and/or teaching methods?Then the Awalem dance education is for you!A solid and grounded basis in dance is essential for every dancer, whether teaching orperforming. Hobby dancers can also benefit from this training programme, feeling moreconfident and finding it even more enjoyable to dance.Themes of the further trainingThe further training includes both practical and theoretical elements. The participantsshould learn to put theory into practise and vice versa. Importance will be placed on thedetails and each theme will be treated accordingly.1. SHA’ABI2. BALADI3. KLASSIK RAQS SHARQI4. MODERN SHARQI5. TRIBAL FUSION6. IMPROVISATION© AWALEM Further Training Dance Project • Concept and teaching by Assala Ibrahim • El Assale • 2005 - 2013All articles and illustrations published here are protected by copyright. It is subject to the law of protection of intellectual property.The entire content can not be copied, distributed or changed without the express and written approval of the author, Assala Ibrahim.All rights reserved.

1. Sha‘abiSha’abi means in Arabic, «dance of the people». Sha’abi is danced today throughout thewhole Orient by both men and women. It is the dance of the farmers and gypsies, stickand combat dances from Upper Egypt and the Nubians. Sha’abi is a must for all dancers.In the first phase of the workshop, the principle of Sha’abi will be incorporated into thebody. Sha’abi is the basis for baladi and sharqi. Let yourself be surprised by the postureand stance of Sha’abi; it will be a new experience for you.BASIC SHA’ABI THEMES• Iraqi Gypsy (Raqs El Gager)• Egyptian Gypsy dance (cymbal and cane dance)• Zikr dance• Zaar dance• Saidi dance• Raks Al-Assaya (cane dance)• Nubian dance• Sha‘abi music, expression and gestureSpecial themesZaar (Trance dance)Trance dance is one of the oldest healing rituals in the world and today, as in the past , isused to obtain a spiritual wholeness. In the Arabic world, Zaar dance is often accompaniedby the Ayoub rhythm , beginning slowly and then building up to a climax where trancelikestates or exhaustion are achieved. The goal of such traditional rituals is to excisebad spirits from the body and to heal illnesses. Although Islam rejects this dance form itis regarded as a religious dance by the people. The religion and beliefs of the black raceshave greatly influenced this ritual, Zaar dance being widely practiced not only in Sudanand Egypt but also in the rest of the Arabic world.In our courses no Zaar ceremony will be performed. The dance is only considered interms of body work to free blocked energy and emotions.Whirling (Turning) danceThis dance is based on the technique of the oriental Sufi mystics. It has been used forhundreds of years as a meditational aid, it’s goal being to free the ego using music anddance and to form a union with God. While turning the dancers focus on nothingness,everything is in motion and their attention is not drawn to anything. Whilst images blurand shapes loose their form, the middle or centre remains totally still and at peace.

2. BaladiDelicate and expressiveAt the beginning of the 20th century, many people moved from the countryside to thebig cities, such as Cairo. As a result of this urban migration, a new form of Sha’abi danceevolved: Baladi. Baladi means ‚my land’ or ‚my home’ in arabic. With time, the countrysidemusic began to mix with the urban music. Western style music such as the bluesand jazz, and their corresponding instruments, such as the saxophone and accordeonalso began to influence the traditional music and, as a consequence, also influenced thetraditonal dance. It is exactly this fusion of traditional and modern that makes this musicand dance style so unique. Baladi represents the most challenging dance form of theArabic world.BASIC BALADI THEMES• Analysis of Baladi• Aschrah Baladi• Baladi with veil• Melaya Laf• Baladi cane dance• Baladi with cymbals• Drum solo - the high point of Baladi• Music, expression and gesture in Baladi

3. Classical SharqiElegance and graceThe origins of Sharqi lie in the musical and dance traditions of the court. Dancers trainedin the art of classical oriental dance, such as the so called ‚Awalim’ and ‚Hawanim’,performed at celebratory occasions of the upper classes of arabic society. Western influencessuch as classical music, ballet or jazzdance changed this courtly style. Todaynew ideas are being incorporated into this style although the original elements of RaqsSharqi remain unchanged in this, the most expressive dance form of the arabic world.BASIC SHARQI THEMES• Raqs El Hawanim (Ladies dance)• Classical Sharqi• Sharqi with veil and double veil• Sharqi for the stage• Drum solo• Expression for Sharqi4. Modern SharqiInnovative and universalModern Raqs Sharqi is a rich source of challenging technique and multifaceted expression. Movescan be earthy, graceful, fiery, sensual, flowing, exciting or meditative depending on age or physicalcapability. In this way a dancer imparts a universally understood or contemporary message,independent of a particular music style or the constraints of a certain style of costume. Respectfor and knowledge of the history of Raqs Sharqi, along with experience of the origins of thisdance form, such as Sha’abi, Baladi and classical Raqs Sharqi, give the dancer a powerful springboard for her creative work. Her freedom of expression and her choice of movements exudesconfidence and innovation at the same time.

5. Tribal FusionPowerful and mysticThis dance style has developed from Americantribal dance. It is a very earthy and groundedstyle, mostly performed in a group. It consistsmainly of elements taken from classical orientaldance, north African Sha’abi as well as modern,Indian or Flamenco elements.This mixture has created a unique dance stylethat is experiencing a continuous and innovativerevival and development. Today’s tribal fusionstyle is the result of 30 years of hard work anddevelopment.6. ImprovisationIn Arabic culture, improvisation has very deeproots. In music and dance it is in itself an artform, from very simple to incredibly refinedand complicated. For this reason, improvisationis an extremely important element of thefurther education project.Improvisation plays an important role in thedevelopment of a dancer, awakening an understandingof Arabic music, freeing us andencouraging our creativity, helping us to findindependence and confidence in our bodiesand expression as we dance. Through practicalexercises, we will deepen and refine ourability to improvise.

All workshops include the following structure• Bodywork• Background knowledge• Practical application• Rhythm• CostumeAs well as the different dance styles, we will analyse the history of the music, along withthe social, political and religious background of the dances and examine the big namesin dance, musicians and singers of the Orient.Glossary• Raqs Sha‘abi:• Raqs Fallahi:• Raqs Baladi:• El Gadjer or El Kawely:• Raqs el Gehwazi:• Almeh:• Ziker:• Zaar:• Said:• Raqs Al-Assaya:• Raqs El Hawanium:Folk danceFarmer‘s dance (Fellach = farmer)dance from the home landIraqi gypsy danceEgyptian gypsy dancethe highly esteemed and knowledgable dancerceremony of the islamic mystics to further their union with Godritual and healing danceregion in Upper EgyptEgyptian cane dancewoman›s dance

Assala IbrahimHer life is dance. Luminous colours, splendid robes, joyful or sensual sounds – Assala Ibrahim’s fascinationfor oriental dance began during her earliest years in Iraq. As a small girl she regularly accompaniedher mother, a beautician, when she made up and bedecked the women with jewelry for the henna night orthe wedding. The beautiful women with their luxurious clothes and of course their dance, without whichan oriental wedding would be unthinkable, left a deep and enduring impression on Assala. Her fascinationwith dance has until today remained true.After completing her studies as a secondary school teacher at Baghdad university, Assala Ibrahim cameto Switzerland in 1993. She attended various language schools in Germany and Switzerland. Havingcompleted business school in 1997, Assala Ibrahim began to work for various international companies.in Switzerland. During this time she began to teach oriental dance part time and to perform publically.„Everyday I went to the office, but dancing was always in my heart“, remembers Assala. „So I made mypassion into my career“.Returning in order to advanceAssala Ibrahim travelled regularly from Switzerland to the Orient. She visited such countries as Egypt,Jordan or Syria. In villages she took part in traditional festivities and danced with families. „Its the simplepeople who retain their heritage“ she says. „ They are the highly refined dance school“. At the same time,she studied oriental dance and history, researched sources and analysed what she found on this theme.She completed further education in body work and breathing techniques. „My goal was to combine theauthentic material that I had collected with professional body work and methodology“ she says.Since 2004 she has had her own school, El Assale Tanzatelier – synonomous with authenticity – in Frauenfeld.She teaches both women and girls Raqs Sharqi “the dance of the east” or oriental dance. At thesame time, Assala gives workshops in Switzerland and abroad. In numerous performances she has developedRaqs Sharqi into a challenging art form. Her unique style has impressed audiences and dancestudents alike.Dance project AwalemIn 2005 Assala Ibrahim conceived the idea of the 2 year further education project AWALEM for advanceddance students and dance teachers alike. It has been so successful that it is still taking place today.The word „Awalem“ means „knowledgeable dancer“ in arabic, the „Awalem“ being highly respected andeducated dancers in the arabic world who were versed in the arts of dance, music, song and poetry aswell as being knowledgeable in history, politics and religion. Over time they lost their good reputation dueto being imitated by street dancers, who, in order to survive, began to mix dance with prostitution. In themeanwhile the Awalem project has been asked for in Germany and other European countries.„ I fill my life with dance and my dance with life“ comments Assala, „for me life and dance are one andthe same thing“.More information on: www.elassale.ch