summerdance

Thanks Aisha, you've found a way to say what I mean very clearly. The zagareet for omar mukhtar were a celebration, of his life. There is a belief that he and others like him are not dead, but is honored in heaven. he was getting a zaffa( processional) to heaven just as a groom with get a zaffa to his wedding.

Zagareet, are an expression of joy, excitement, encouragement, solidarity and so many things.
I am arab and have heard so many diff styles of zagareet. every country has a diff sound, style of zagareet

Thank you for helping me express my thoughts.

Aisha Azar

Dear Summerdance,
Where are you from? My best friend is from Saudi Arabia and I have many Arab friends from various countries. Often, as you say, one thing will have different meanings and there are many ways to do things in different parts of the Middle East and North Africa. (Even little things sometimes, like how we drink tea or coffee, how henna is prepared to put on hair, etc.) If English is a new fairly new second langauge for you, you write very well.
Regards,
A'isha

Didi

Hey, all. You've made me curious now. When I lived in Montreal, I lived in an "arabic" section of town, and we heard zagreet all the time. I didn't realize that was what it was called. (You do mean that kind of ululating tongue thing while calling out in a high-pitched voice; right?)

I always thought it was only the men who did it, honestly. Once, a neighbor of mine warned me there would be a lot that night in celebration of a young boy's birthday; I got the feeling it was a rite of passage kind of birthday he was celebrating. We thought it sounded really wild and passionate, but it could be almost chilling, if you were inclined to interpret it that way. I could see it as a war chant, definitely.

As for the woman who reproved you for the "Iraqi war cry," I'd be annoyed, too. She needs to not watch belly dance at all if she can't stand references to Middle Eastern Culture. Some of my fellow Americans can be so close-minded, honestly, it's depressing, especially right now. Between my "Vote Democrat" sign and the Arabic music I play at all hours, my upstairs neighbor thinks I'm a radical and potentially a traitor. Of course, I do live in an extremely RED state...

But my big question is, how do you do it? Can you train yourself to do it?

Thanks in advance for any info.
Didi

Didi

I'm not good at the smilies yet. I didn't mean to put an angry, horned demon on my post. Sorry 'bout that. LOL

Didi

Tikvah

I learned how....even impressed a few people with my zag. I don't have a great explanation of how to learn though....I just kinda tried, and kept trying until mine didn't sound like a cat dying a slow and painful death :-P

Didi

To have taught yourself, I mean. I'm not even able to guess how to shape my mouth around that sound...

Cat dying a slow and painful death(you're funny)... I think this might have been the sound I made when I first tried the choo-choo shimmy, a sort of combined groan and you-want-me-to-do-WHAT?? bleat of shock.

Outi

Egyptians do rapid side-to-side movement with their tongue, same time with high pitched noise/yelling. That's how I saw it and listened. I just practised one day and that's it. I'm not very good, but I can make it. I didn't put much effort in learning anyway.

summerdance

Dear A'isha Azar,

I am from Egypt, Alexandria to be exact. I have grown up abroad. I spent every summer and every holiday back home. I have many Lebanese, Saudi and Tunisian Friends also. We get a kick out making comparisons . It's funny you should mention henna. We did henna for our hair over the weekend and each of us mixed it differently. It was just me and my two best friends. Thank you for taking the time to read my silly ramblings!

Aisha Azar

Dear Summerdance,
A friend of mine is going back to Alexandria next month with her children to visit her family. She is very excited and a little nervous. She has not been home for 12 years. Another friend, believe it or not, Saudi, just one year ago in March, married the nicest man from Iskandria. This happens so rarely, but she made the very best choice. We all think he is just the kindest man!! The only fault we can find is he puts WAY too ,much sugar in his tea and he does not drink coffee. I guess we will learn to live with it, but we do not let him make tea!!
Regards,
A'isha

PS: Often what you might think of as a "silly rambling" will be of great value to those of us who have not grown up in the cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. The tiniest things give us insight into the dance by helping us to understand the people from whom it comes!

summerdance

I wish your friend luck with her Iskanrani man!
They are the biggest hearted men I've ever met , but can be stubborn as well.
I love Askanderia, I miss it every time I am gone! Nothing like Gambari on the sea side followed by Ma'sil( apple askandrani shisha tobacco)

Best Wishes!