Egyptian dancers-almeh in Russian travelers’ accounts before 1917
Abstract
The article is devoted to the Egyptian dancers, described in the Russian travel literature under the name “almeh”. The author traces the history of visits to Egypt by Russian travelers until 1917 and analyzes the information they managed to collect about Egyptian dancers, their working conditions, costumes and accessories, musical accompaniment, characteristic movements and choreography.
The accounts made by Russian travelers before revolution should be characterized as valuable sources for historical research in the Egyptian dance raks sharki in 19th - early 20th centuries. In the absence of photo and video materials, they preserved for history the names of the performers KuchukKhanem and Usta Sakne, detailed descriptions of the costumes of Egyptian dancers, recorded their typical movements, information about choreography and various genres of dance. This data allows us to reconstruct the historical forms of the Egyptian national dance, as well as to clarify the real image of Egyptian almeh which inspired writers, artists and choreographers all over the world.
About the Author
N. S. Barsova
Vaganova Ballet Academy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Postgraduate Student
2, Zodchego Rossi St., St. Petersburg, 191023
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Review
For citations:
Barsova N.S. Egyptian dancers-almeh in Russian travelers’ accounts before 1917. Bulletin of Vaganova Ballet Academy. 2022;(5):6-30. (In Russ.)
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