M'alayah
Encyclopedia
The M'alayah is a kind of dance
common in the Middle Eastern and the North African countries. The dance is usually misnamed by calling it various names such as um-alaya, dagni, etc.
Although the name and its origin, due to the obscurity of the rather taboo nature of the dance in the strictly conservative countries in the Middle East, is doubtful, the M'alayah is mostly considered to be primarily of African origin and is associated with people of African ancestry living in the Persian Gulf
region. The M'alayah's contemporary equivalents on the neighboring African continent include the Makossa
and Mapouka
.
The dance is sexually suggestive in nature, with women tying up their lower torso with a piece of cloth or Keffiyeh
, and performing sensual fast movements. There is no set pattern and method of performing the dance although some of its movements can be attributed to influences from bellydance, hip hop
styled “booty popping”, Mapouka
etc: . It is known for its fast sensual movements of the buttocks
and backside.
Primarily this dance is more often performed by groups that usually comprise singers, dancers and also back up musicians. These groups perform in special occasions such as weddings. The dance is accompanied by singing various songs that are unique to this type of dance. These troops or bands of musicians and dancers are usually outcasts and do not intermingle with the majority populace of the society. The entertainers make out a living by charging an agreed upon fee in the range of US$ 1000 to US$ 3000 depending on the function they will be in, typically a marriage or an engagement ceremony, tribe celebrations etc: , but usually end up earning much more in the form of tips either being thrown on the ground or on the dancers themselves. They are suspected to belong to Bidun groups of people.
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
common in the Middle Eastern and the North African countries. The dance is usually misnamed by calling it various names such as um-alaya, dagni, etc.
Although the name and its origin, due to the obscurity of the rather taboo nature of the dance in the strictly conservative countries in the Middle East, is doubtful, the M'alayah is mostly considered to be primarily of African origin and is associated with people of African ancestry living in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
region. The M'alayah's contemporary equivalents on the neighboring African continent include the Makossa
Makossa
Makossa is a type of music that is most popular in urban areas in Cameroon. It is similar to soukous, except that it includes strong bass rhythm and a prominent horn section. Makossa, which means " dance" in Duala, originated from a type of Duala dance called kossa, with significant influences...
and Mapouka
Mapouka
Mapouka, also known under the name of Macouka, is a traditional dance from the south-east of the Ivory Coast in the area of Dabou, sometimes carried out during religious ceremonies. It is also known as, "La danse du fessier" or "the danse of the behind ".This dance has daring choreography that can...
.
The dance is sexually suggestive in nature, with women tying up their lower torso with a piece of cloth or Keffiyeh
Keffiyeh
The keffiyeh/kufiya , also known as a ghutrah , ' , mashadah , shemagh or in Persian chafiye , Kurdish cemedanî and Turkish puşi, is a traditional Arab headdress fashioned from a square, usually cotton, scarf. It is typically worn by Arab men, as well as some Kurds...
, and performing sensual fast movements. There is no set pattern and method of performing the dance although some of its movements can be attributed to influences from bellydance, hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
styled “booty popping”, Mapouka
Mapouka
Mapouka, also known under the name of Macouka, is a traditional dance from the south-east of the Ivory Coast in the area of Dabou, sometimes carried out during religious ceremonies. It is also known as, "La danse du fessier" or "the danse of the behind ".This dance has daring choreography that can...
etc: . It is known for its fast sensual movements of the buttocks
Buttocks
The buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
and backside.
Primarily this dance is more often performed by groups that usually comprise singers, dancers and also back up musicians. These groups perform in special occasions such as weddings. The dance is accompanied by singing various songs that are unique to this type of dance. These troops or bands of musicians and dancers are usually outcasts and do not intermingle with the majority populace of the society. The entertainers make out a living by charging an agreed upon fee in the range of US$ 1000 to US$ 3000 depending on the function they will be in, typically a marriage or an engagement ceremony, tribe celebrations etc: , but usually end up earning much more in the form of tips either being thrown on the ground or on the dancers themselves. They are suspected to belong to Bidun groups of people.
See also
- ArdhaArdhaArdah is a type of folkloric dance performed by the Bedouin tribes of Najd. It was traditionally performed before going to war. Originally "ardah" is for Shammr tribe, but nowadays is performed at celebrations or cultural events, such as the Jenadriyah festival. The dance, which is performed by...
- FijiriFijiriFidjeri is the specific repertoire of vocal music sung by the pearl divers of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf . A lead singer is backed up by a chorus of accompanying singers and clapping...
- Sawt (music)
- YowlaYowlaYowla is a type of type of traditional dance found in the United Arab Emirates. It involves spinning and throwing a rifle.-See also:* Ardha* Fijiri* Sawt * M'alayah* Liwa * Mizmar -External links:* *...
- Liwa (music)Liwa (music)Līwa is a traditional dance performed in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, mainly in communities of descendants of East Africans from the Swahili Coast...
- MakossaMakossaMakossa is a type of music that is most popular in urban areas in Cameroon. It is similar to soukous, except that it includes strong bass rhythm and a prominent horn section. Makossa, which means " dance" in Duala, originated from a type of Duala dance called kossa, with significant influences...
- MapoukaMapoukaMapouka, also known under the name of Macouka, is a traditional dance from the south-east of the Ivory Coast in the area of Dabou, sometimes carried out during religious ceremonies. It is also known as, "La danse du fessier" or "the danse of the behind ".This dance has daring choreography that can...