Once upon a time, there was an oriental dancer named Habibi. She trained a long time and developed a reputation for being a talented performer, a generous instructor and a creative choreographer. Habibi was one of the lucky few who could dance full-time.
One day, Habibi took her dance troupe to a dance seminar and show. Habibi believed it was a good thing for her troupe members to be exposed to other teachers, other techniques, and a different perspective, as well as to gain performance experience and exposure. During the seminar, Habibi herself was not too challenged by the course content, but that was OK for her. She felt that from every seminar she could gain, at the very least, some valuable networking and a sense of inspiration.
The seminar teacher that day was Cleo, Queen of D’Nile. Cleo was new to the seminar circuit and lacked self-confidence. She was nervous around more accomplished dancers. Cleo felt that in order to assert her position as seminar instructor and star, she had to hide her insecurities. Unconsciously, she emitted negative vibes, particularly to the reputable in the room such as Habibi. Those dancers steered away from the subtle hostility. Unfortunately for Cleo, it kept her from getting close to the very dancers with whom she most needed to network.
After the seminar ended, Habibi and her troupe prepared themselves for the evening’s show. Groomed by Habibi’s professionalism, the group got to the show on time, excited and eager. The troupe’s enthusiasm was evident in their performance, and both their number and Habibi’s solo was well-received. After donning cover-ups, the group went to sit amoungst the audience to watch the grand finale’, the solo performance by Cleo, Queen of D’Nile.
Halfway through Cleo’s show, the troupe stirred in discomfort and quietly sent word to Habibi. Bint, one of the troupe members, had recently performed at another seminar show a few weeks earlier. While Bint had realistically accepted that she has a lot to learn, she knew she had done a good job and prided herself for some clever choreography. Now in the dark of the audience before Cleo, Bint tearfully approached Habibi.
In hushed tones, Bint claimed that Cleo had been at that show and was now copying Bint’s choreography! Bint, feeling miserable and small, concluded that she was a ‘nobody’ in this business so it was unimportant for anyone to respect her as a choreographer or even give her credit for it.
Habibi knew Bint for several years and believed she was honest. In the face of Bint’s heartbreak, Habibi felt defensive. But what could they do? As Cleo went on dancing, Habibi considered the options. An open confrontation might result in an ugly argument and resolve nothing. So Habibi advised Bint and the troupe to sit tight. At the end of the show, they should collect their things in the dressing room and leave with dignity.
When the show ended, Habibi’s troupe tried to vacate the dressing room quickly and silently. Cleo burst backstage, exhilarated. A few dancers scurried around her, paying homage to the star of the show. Cleo eyed Habibi, hoping for Habibi’s approval, but Habibi kept her eyes averted. She did not know what to say to Cleo. Habibi hustled her troupe out of the room and managed to get them nearly out of the entire facility when a friend stopped them.
The friend was another dancer who noticed the guarded body language and asked what was wrong. Trusting her friend, Habibi murmured briefly what had happened to Bint.
Little did Habibi know, her friend did not keep the information confidential. Perhaps she really was not a true friend after all. Or, perhaps she also felt defensive for Bint and did not want things to be swept under the rug. Whatever her motivation, this friend told someone who told someone who told someone…
A month later, Habibi received phone calls from dancers around the country. She was shocked at the lightning speed of the gossip. To make matters worse, no one even had the story right. Most of the dancers didn’t even know it was Bint who made the original accusation, not Habibi. While Habibi struggled to clarify the facts, she felt increasingly uncomfortable. It would be best for everyone if the gossip stopped and the incident was put aside. After all, any question of Cleo’s integrity would become self-evident in the long run. But the grapevine relished a juicy story, so it spread and grew.
Cleo heard the gossip, and believed it. In protest, she submitted articles to magazines about ethics in the belly dance business. Suddenly, Cleo advertised herself as the most ethical belly dancer. Cleo fought to correct the damage done to her image. If she were innocent of stealing choreography, her campaign was reasonable. However, Cleo unwisely added a bonus theme. She attacked Habibi personally and professionally. Cleo called seminar sponsors who advertised that they would be offering a workshop with Habibi. Cleo told them that Habibi was a bad person to do business with and would hurt their reputations.
The sponsors in turn told Habibi. Habibi was distraught. How did things get so out of hand? Although the campaign did not impact Habibi’s career, it left her very frustrated. When Habibi ran into Cleo at other events Cleo was openly hostile. Eventually, Habibi stopped trying to approach Cleo. Habibi decided the truth would have to stand for itself. Maybe someday Cleo would realize it never was Habibi who accused Cleo.
In the end, did they all live happily ever after? Not really. All of them were hurt and bitter. Bint eventually left Habibi’s troupe. She never took responsibility for jeopardizing the careers of two serious dancers. Cleo, Queen of D’Nile, continued to perform in the seminar circuit, but never rose too high. She remained untrusting and unapproachable. Habibi went on to be very successful, labeled as one of the top oriental dancers in the world. No one knows if the gossip ever bore the truth.
The moral of the story? All three dancers learned lessons the hard way and made mistakes. Their lessons include some everyone would do well to learn:
P.S. The story you have just read is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
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©2001 Jasmin Jahal