I just read the article again. Still pissed off. Its just the way the way that the culture is always distorted and trivialized that annoys me the most. They don't take the time to really research becuae they don't consider the culture to be as relevant as Western culture, therefore it doesn't deserve the same level of serious attention.
The article stated the only thing tying this guy to being a professional dancer is the scarf around his hips. This is such bullshit! Anyone who knows anything about the culture knows that its just traditional to tie a scarf around the hips. It has nothing to do with being professional. In fact three of my student performed at the local Egyptian coffe house/community gathering place a few blocks from my house. One of the guys, MARRIED, WITH KIDS, tied my winter scarf around his hips and started dancing, while playing a pair of finger cymbals. Its just part of what everyone does for fun, it's normal. As for the guy on Pyramid street, I have heard of him from someone else living in Cairo, but as usual I don't believe crap till I hear it from a few unrelated sources. With the exception of this guy, who is paid to perform and create atmosphere, all the "male belly dancing" you see in these clubs is by local Egyptians, not professionals. As fro drugs and prostitution.....Like that doesn't happen in nightclubs here? HELLOOOOO, WHERE THE HELL WAS HE DURING STUDIO 54'S HEY DAY? Another mindless article relying on sensationalist stereotypes to get attention.
|