Oriental dancers are often fascinated with ancient Egypt. There are hieroglyphics that you can see today which depict women dancing and playing instruments. What does this mean to the modern day belly dancer? Well, pharoanic dance, or dance that was performed in the times of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt, are the roots of contemporary Middle Eastern dance. The hieroglyphs are proof that our dance form is actually the oldest recorded dance form in the history of mankind!
Ancient Egyptian dance as seen in the hieroglyphs is powerful and dramatic. Sometimes the movements seem measured and stately. Sometimes they appear to be acrobatic, with broad steps, kicks and tumbling. The types of dance and the style vary according to the purpose of the dance. For example, religious rituals and processions in honor of the gods, as well as funeral dancing would be more regal and exact. On the other hand, scenes of dance performed for entertainment and celebrations would encompass larger and more flowing movement.
When contemporary dancers try to reconstruct pharoanic dance, we can only imagine what it truly was. The greatest challenge for a dancer today is the fact that hieroglyphs are two-dimensional and, of course, in real life dance is three-dimensional. The dancer must creatively assume the third dimension. Two-dimensionally, we see the feet, arms and head are almost always in profile. Does this mean we can only stand in profile to the audience? No! Imagination and a little fantasy will help a lot in filling in the rest of the movement.
Those who have formally studied hieroglyphs have discovered the meaning of actions and gestures in positions of the body, especially of the arms, head and hands. The movements are "frozen" at their most characteristic identifiable point. In scenes of battle and conquest, the basic theme is dominance and submission. The hieroglyphs show scenes of people riding chariots, beheading enemies, hunting animals, or a king standing on or over the enemy. Other scenes with this theme are servant to master, captive to victor, and peasant to taxation scribe.
Hieroglyphic scenes of funerals and mourning usually include the deceased king or queen with one or more gods, and could include a priest or priestess or other persons mourning. The deceased king has both arms crossed over his chest, palms flat on the body. This pose is in connection to the god Osirus, who represented the ancient Egyptian belief that the cycle of nature is life – death – afterlife. A deceased queen or royal woman would have one arm crossed over the chest and the other arm extended by her side. This pose is in connection with the goddess Hathor, who represented love, happiness and maternal protection. Usually, a private individual who was deceased would have both arms down by his sides. A mourner would often be depicted with an arm bent in front of the face and the palm placed on the forehead.
Scenes of celebration, temple rituals and dances performed in service to the gods include movements that depict worship, and the receiving of blessings and protection. The lower the person is to the floor, whether kneeling on one knee, on both knees, or actually bringing the chest to the floor, depict submission and worship. As you can see from the drawings shown at the bottom of page 1, the modern Middle Eastern dancer incorporates similar movement to her floorwork.
When and where could you perform a pharoanic dance? Properly, it is best done in a formal show or theater, with professional costuming and lighting, rather than at a party or some other informal show. What about costuming? The colors seen in the hieroglyphs are white, blue, green, gold and red. The dress can be a simple tunic with a belt, wide collar, headdress, and arm bands. You might like to wear a beautiful pharoanic style oriental costume as seen on page 4. Your hair style should be long, straight, dark and flowing. Eye make-up with kohl should be considered more authentic.
What music should you use in a pharoanic dance? Keep it dramatic and powerful. You might like to try music that is very old and classical, like something from Mohamed Abdel Wahab or Farid al Atrache. Or, you can explore the esoteric realm which is smooth and meditative. There are music suggestions listed on page y7.
As you experiment with pharoanic dance, you, the oriental dancer, can feel and enjoy your deep roots to ancient times of mystery and spirituality. It may open up a whole new dimension to your performances, adding a new richness and meaning to every movement. Go ahead – dare to explore fascinating pharoanic dance!
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©1999 Jasmin Jahal