Query about a performance name...

Sita · 07-19-2008, 11:23 PM

This kind of follows on from Fatinah's post...
A friend of mine has been looking for an arabic performance name to use and has came across the term Fellaha 'farm, country girl' (this is the meaning she has however I am unsure about the country part as I was under the impression country was expressed better with the word beledi,baladi) and decided she really wants to use if as her performance alias.

I, however am concerned as A. it isn't a 'proper' name but a term and b. I wondered, or am suspicious that its meaning could be used in a derogative sense i.e poor, backwards etc.

So I thought I would seek your advice on this matter...

Thank you in advance
Sita

Reen.Blom · 07-20-2008, 07:58 AM

Isnt there a folk dance of that name... smth like Fellahi?

Tuija Rinne · 07-20-2008, 08:18 AM

It can have some negative menaings like 'ignorant', 'uncivilized', 'stupid'.

karena · 07-20-2008, 08:22 AM

To me it would make me think of the rhythm of the similar name, so I'd then spend my time trying to figure out the connection rather than concentrating on the dancer.

And here is a clip of a Reda dance labelled as such.

YouTube - Reda Troupe perform a Fellahi dance

Tuija Rinne · 07-20-2008, 08:47 AM

Fallah (or fellah) = 'farmer', f. fallaha , pl. fallahin, adjective fallahi
There is indeed an Egyptian folk dance style called Fellahi/Fallahi or Raqset el fallahin 'dance of the farmers' or 'dance from the countryside'. However, I wouldn't advise Fellaha as a stage name because of the connotations it carries.
Also the word baladi can have negative meanings if used of a person ('uncivililized' etc.), but bint balad would be nice - although I think much used already as a stage name.

Sita · 07-21-2008, 07:12 PM

Thanks for your advice I'll inform my friend and hope she decides against it!

I think she likes the sound of the name so I've researched similar F names like Farrah and Farhana as possible alternatives.

Sita

masrawy · 07-21-2008, 11:06 PM

Hi Sita
The word Fallah/Fallaha is a descriptive of people who service the land. Its not a name but it could be used as one. People from the city might use it in derogatory way. But the Fallahen are good people and would not hesitate to call them-self Fallahen. Haven said that I don't think it's a good stage name, it dose not have the same meaning as country girl in English.
As for Farrah or Farhana ...Farrah might be OK, but it's a common male name also it could be the word used for wedding it comes from happiness. Farrahana in the other hand is a common female name used by people from the village the Fallahen, not a good one too ... sorry but I hope that help

Regards~Mahmoud

Caroline_afifi · 07-22-2008, 08:51 AM

I would follow Masrawy on this but would strongly say dont!

It is often used as a put down to mean you dont know much about anything.

Sad but this is life and this is the city culture.

07-19-2008, 11:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sita Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 118	Query about a performance name... This kind of follows on from Fatinah's post... A friend of mine has been looking for an arabic performance name to use and has came across the term Fellaha 'farm, country girl' (this is the meaning she has however I am unsure about the country part as I was under the impression country was expressed better with the word beledi,baladi) and decided she really wants to use if as her performance alias. I, however am concerned as A. it isn't a 'proper' name but a term and b. I wondered, or am suspicious that its meaning could be used in a derogative sense i.e poor, backwards etc. So I thought I would seek your advice on this matter... Thank you in advance Sita __________________ ~Life is like a ghaziya, she dances just briefly for each.~ - Egyptian proverb

07-20-2008, 07:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SA now UK(Newmarket) Posts: 2,255	Isnt there a folk dance of that name... smth like Fellahi? __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com

07-20-2008, 08:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tuija Rinne Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 18	It can have some negative menaings like 'ignorant', 'uncivilized', 'stupid'. __________________ Tuija Rinne www.tuijarinne.com

07-20-2008, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
karena Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The North, UK Posts: 597	To me it would make me think of the rhythm of the similar name, so I'd then spend my time trying to figure out the connection rather than concentrating on the dancer. And here is a clip of a Reda dance labelled as such. YouTube - Reda Troupe perform a Fellahi dance __________________ "Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

07-20-2008, 08:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tuija Rinne Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 18	Fallah (or fellah) = 'farmer', f. fallaha , pl. fallahin, adjective fallahi There is indeed an Egyptian folk dance style called Fellahi/Fallahi or Raqset el fallahin 'dance of the farmers' or 'dance from the countryside'. However, I wouldn't advise Fellaha as a stage name because of the connotations it carries. Also the word baladi can have negative meanings if used of a person ('uncivililized' etc.), but bint balad would be nice - although I think much used already as a stage name. __________________ Tuija Rinne www.tuijarinne.com

07-21-2008, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sita Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 118	Thanks for your advice I'll inform my friend and hope she decides against it! I think she likes the sound of the name so I've researched similar F names like Farrah and Farhana as possible alternatives. Sita __________________ ~Life is like a ghaziya, she dances just briefly for each.~ - Egyptian proverb

07-21-2008, 11:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
masrawy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA/Egypt Posts: 144	Fallahen Hi Sita The word Fallah/Fallaha is a descriptive of people who service the land. Its not a name but it could be used as one. People from the city might use it in derogatory way. But the Fallahen are good people and would not hesitate to call them-self Fallahen. Haven said that I don't think it's a good stage name, it dose not have the same meaning as country girl in English. As for Farrah or Farhana ...Farrah might be OK, but it's a common male name also it could be the word used for wedding it comes from happiness. Farrahana in the other hand is a common female name used by people from the village the Fallahen, not a good one too ... sorry but I hope that help Regards~Mahmoud __________________ "Be beautiful , the universe will turn beautiful in your eyes!"

07-22-2008, 08:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Caroline_afifi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Liverpool UK Posts: 824	I would follow Masrawy on this but would strongly say dont! It is often used as a put down to mean you dont know much about anything. Sad but this is life and this is the city culture.