New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-01
The Dancing Girls of Egypt.
iCharles G. Leland

AHt Danc.nB S'ifls or E&ypcs
lCharles G. Leland 7
The great desire OF the gentlemen who
come to Egypt IS the dancing gill. Ir it
were put to the vote, most Of them would
prefer her to the Pyramids, if not to the
Nile. Even the moral and pious, the oldest
and coolest can not torego this bit of temp
tation; SO they get themselves earnestly as
sured by their dragOman, or better still, by
some gentleman of acknowledged high char
acter-lf possible from Boston-that there is
really nothing in her performance which
would call blush, etc. 1t is better still if
Mr.. High Character gravely assures them
tat in fact ne found 1t very stupid and the
Ghawazi very ugly. All of this is most
thankfully accepted, for, admitting it in full
the dancers are still improper-Which has a
charm beyond beauty or grace and however
good man may be, he is seldom willing to
admit he did not see it, and knows nothing
directly about it, Hardened worldlings
who fire" uent the regular ballet are not 80
dee0ly dlsgusted with the Ghazien, nor do
they find her SO altogether stupid or 50 in
Tariably ngly.
Most o? the dancing Of the Ghawa.! is
indl' e-ent enough. 1t is, however, remark
able that what skill they do exhibit, even
under these circumstances. ~ seldom ap-
preciated. for the d ullest of them generally
affect muscular teats, such Us one never
seen in the " est, yet which are not directly
perceptlble. They all seem to have the
power OF moving any part OF the body
freely. j1st as certain persons can move
their ears: aud It is wonderful how they
will continue to agita.e every muscle in the
mus: violent and rapid manner for hours.
quivering from head to foo: as ii electri.
fed. without being in the least fatigued, and
what is Incredible. without perspirng
only once. (IhaV-azi 1ancipv uf,ics,
was. in the opinion of native gentlemen,
and of Europeans who had been many
years in the country. and had tulI opportu.
mites Of Judging. .. a really superior and
artistic character. This was a Girgeh
There were two girls. one quite pretty and
young, the other less attractive. but rather
the better dancer
These dancing girls were dressed in long
skirts. one over the other. reaching to the
ankle. the upper garment being of whit
ish yellow oc reddish color. The body and
arm. were clad in very dark. ;ightly.ft
ting chemise. with white stripes. half an
inch broad, about two inches apart. looking
tlgerli1e. Over this wa. " orn = very tight
Jacket of csi satin. very short in the waist.
with tight short sleeves. On their heads
were cur:cusly shaped caps. and their hair
hung in long braid-. Abound the waist was
4 silver g:rdIe with high bosses, and .tepen.
,
massive ,ornament or chain. made OF eight
or ten triangular silver boxes. and many
large s!ve! beads. A profusion of gold
CONS and othe. ornaments hung
from the neci. and head. Other Ghawszi
at ditferen: towns wore dresses very differ.
ent from this. At one place their garments
We're OF black from head to too;. with silver
stripes. while the braids o. hair were very
pretcily made. Terminating ia many silver !
I -h.,o.
-.nts were an incredible quantity OF gold |
coins OF ali sizes.
The first dancing Of all Ghawa2; is simply |
moving abOu, e. the music and unduia,.n. |
the body. Then waves OF motion ar. MADE. !
to run from head 70 foot. and over these |
waves pass with incredible !apIity the !
ripples AID thrills. as you have seen a grea. |
pillow N a breeze look Ike Il smaller sea |
ribbed with :. thousand ~avelets. All is
lone in perfect time with the music. Then |
he air changes and Their. is variation In
he dance. The girl stops-.she becomes
below tue body an! moves only
he body above. rocking and swaying. eX.
,resslye Ct suffering from intense passion.
At times. and in time with the music q con.
7ulsion thrills fhe waist. arms and head.
md sometimes the muscles. She becomes
Iuiet: but if you observe closely the move.
nent. passion and exertion are not less in.
{ vitality remained in them alone: perhaps
My one throbs violently.
There - another change. and the dancer,
inks slowly almost to her knees al. if over J
covered with passion. while the arms sweep
n singular bu5 graceful gestures. Perhaps
he waves slowly IN walking dance.
moving the lower part Of her body forward
more and more with vigorous Quivering,
nd once in ten seconds starting with a con.
lei, T,a,o
uent unit! she apparently yields and sxo
Tres.
The CIR! as Girgeh performed a .ery
retty dance, which was quite a poem !
facing cup, symbolic of temptation, on
he ground, she danced around it in STYLE |
yhich was perfectly Spanish, turning the |
ody and sinking low with great grace and
xquislte art. The emp appeared to exer-
se a terrible fascination, and she seemed
traid to drain it. The fear was perfectly
cted. Five times without aid from her
rms she almost lay. on the ground, with
er thirsty lips Just dallying with the edge.
nd then rising swept in dance and thrilled.
nd shlyered. and turned. and sank again. /
ne sixth time she had completed a circle !
nd, no longer able to resist, she approached
lie cup with throbs and pause-. and then
ithOut using her hands lifted it from the {
round with her lips alone. draining i. as
10 rose. anC, TIE tragedy OF temptation !
eng over. merrily danced abou. the room
quick step. with her head thrown back,
olding the cup all the time in her mouth.
Then the elder girl placed a cup on her {
lad. and danced tor long time a great (
lriety of movements without letting it Z
Il, the same being done in turn by the !
'unger. l did not see, however as nv :
How travellers did en- another occasion. o
lncing girls who. while dancing, made o
ps run from the head down the side of | !
9 face. along the arms and back, as
llled Hercules IN a circus makes cannon
lis travel around him. This is, however.
Their juggling than dancing. Sometimes p
stick /. used in these performances. Some. a
mes the two girls dance duo; and have .
an this made quito as improper. though G.
t SO sickly sentimental. as in any opera b
use in Europe. when the balIerina falls il
OK into the male objects arm, eyeing him a
tn leering smile. wh:'e she lifts one leg al
the gallery. %
There are 'Awa!irr and 'Awalim. and 81
await and Ghawazi. Some are mere h,
ssant girls. who work By day aud dance to
night, and others are low caste, and ca
nee coaTsely, with male Jester taking q,
asional part in the performances, as | tt
v at Luxor. | am told that the best are CO
be seen in Cairo in the grand harems on 81
at festival occasions. Their style Of cl
,eing is the same that prevails, with va th
lions, all over the East. and the great sh
erence between it and that of the West | ia