Khaliji... Is long hair a must? - Page 5

Bellydance Oz · 08-07-2008, 03:20 AM

It's really interesting to know that the hair flips are not a genuine part of the dance - however the reality is, they're expected in this part of the world! So to avoid looking out of place, it can be easier to go long with it than argue the point.

You could try using a hairpiece but I found it didn't really work - a fake pony tail can look great posing nicely for a wedding reception, but most of them won't survive if you start throwing your head around. Even if they do, they bounce away from your head eventually, and it's pretty obvious it's fake.

I finally resorted to buying a wig - and boy, what a difference it made. A full wig stays on your head much more securely than a hair piece and looks much more convincing.

You'll find some for sale on my website

richydance · 10-03-2008, 05:48 PM

the reason for the hair tossing and throwing the thobe side to side is because the women would do those things with insence to smell good

the wrist hitting is a shia thing during ashura in iraq but it is a still a part of the bedouin khaliji
khaliji is yes hair but lots of vibrating shoulder shimies vibrating hands neck isolations and most importantly the footwork the "bouncing" motion so to speak :p

Aisha Azar · 10-03-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bellydance Oz

It's really interesting to know that the hair flips are not a genuine part of the dance - however the reality is, they're expected in this part of the world! So to avoid looking out of place, it can be easier to go long with it than argue the point.

You could try using a hairpiece but I found it didn't really work - a fake pony tail can look great posing nicely for a wedding reception, but most of them won't survive if you start throwing your head around. Even if they do, they bounce away from your head eventually, and it's pretty obvious it's fake.

I finally resorted to buying a wig - and boy, what a difference it made. A full wig stays on your head much more securely than a hair piece and looks much more convincing.

You'll find some for sale on my website

Dear Oz,
On the contrary, the hair flipping is very much a part of the dance, however, one can flip one's head with hair as well as without. Remember that this dance is even performed by women who cover and have no hair that shows at all.There are dozens and dozens of styles of this dance and there are many variations. However, according to most women from Saudi and the Gulf with whom I have spoken, and also to Melinda Mouna Smith who is an anthropologist who was married to a Kuwaiti for 7 years and lived with his family there,the dance seems to have originated around the sea and most movements are representative of living with the sea. Originally the hair was tossed in mimicry of the sea plants and the waves that move in ocean. The hand comes to the side of the nose in mimicry of the pearl divers that once were very important to life in the Gulf.
In modern times of course many movements have been added that come from outside the region and the traditional style is not seen that often any more. I have been fortunate to view some very old video belonging to one of the Qatari princes and the dance was much different from what we see now, with hair tossing as only one part of he dance.
Regards,
A'isha

Bellydance Oz · 10-06-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisha Azar

...according to most women from Saudi and the Gulf with whom I have spoken, and also to Melinda Mouna Smith who is an anthropologist who was married to a Kuwaiti for 7 years and lived with his family there,the dance seems to have originated around the sea and most movements are representative of living with the sea. Originally the hair was tossed in mimicry of the sea plants and the waves that move in ocean. The hand comes to the side of the nose in mimicry of the pearl divers that once were very important to life in the Gulf.

What a lovely image! Next time I dance, I will see those head moves totally differently. Thanks!

08-07-2008, 03:20 AM	#41 (permalink)
Bellydance Oz Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 74	It's really interesting to know that the hair flips are not a genuine part of the dance - however the reality is, they're expected in this part of the world! So to avoid looking out of place, it can be easier to go long with it than argue the point. You could try using a hairpiece but I found it didn't really work - a fake pony tail can look great posing nicely for a wedding reception, but most of them won't survive if you start throwing your head around. Even if they do, they bounce away from your head eventually, and it's pretty obvious it's fake. I finally resorted to buying a wig - and boy, what a difference it made. A full wig stays on your head much more securely than a hair piece and looks much more convincing. You'll find some for sale on my website __________________ Sirena : Belly Dance Oz video blog + shop Last edited by Bellydance Oz; 08-07-2008 at 04:14 AM.

10-03-2008, 05:48 PM	#42 (permalink)
richydance Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 39	the reason for the hair tossing and throwing the thobe side to side is because the women would do those things with insence to smell good the wrist hitting is a shia thing during ashura in iraq but it is a still a part of the bedouin khaliji khaliji is yes hair but lots of vibrating shoulder shimies vibrating hands neck isolations and most importantly the footwork the "bouncing" motion so to speak :p