Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-05-22
DANCING GIRLS OF EGYPT.
A Lively description by charles g
n.elADd.


Leland.
The great desire of gentlemen who
come to Egypt is the dancing girl. If
were put TO vote, most of them would
prefer her to the Pyramids, if not to the
Nile. Even the moral and pious, the
Oldest and the coolest can not forego
this bit of temptation; so they get them
selves earnestly assured by the drago.
man, or, better still, by some gentlemen
OF acknowledged high character-if pos
sible from Boston--that there is really
nothing in her performance which would
call blush, etc. 1t il better still if NJ.
High Character gravely assures them
that in fact he found it 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 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 frequent
the regular ballet are not so deeply dis
gusted with the Ghawazi, nor do they
find her 50 altogether stupid or so iuva-
riably ugly.
Most of the dancing of the Ghawazi
is Indifferent enough. 1t is, however,
remarkable that what skill they do ex
hibit, even under the circumstances, is
seldom appreciated; for the dullest Of
them generally affect muscular feats,
such as one never see in the West, yet
which are not directly perceptible. They
all seem to have the power OF moving
any part of the body freely, just as Ger
tain persons can move their ears; and it
is wonderful how they will continue to
agitate every muscle in the most violent
and rapid manner for hours, quivering
rom head to foot as if electrified, with
out being in the least fatigued and,
what is incredible, without perspiring.
| only once saw Ghawazi dancing,
which was, in the opinion Of native gen
tlemen, and Of Europeans who had been
many years in the country, and had full
opportunities Of judging, of really su
perior and artistic character. This was
a Girgeh. There were two girls, one quite
pretty and young the other less atIrac-
tive, but rather the best dancer.
These dancing girls were dressed in
long skirts, one over the other, reaching
to the ankle, the upper garment being
whitish yellow or reddish color. The
body and arms we're clad in very dark,
tightly fitting chemise, with white stripes,
half an inch broad, about two inches
apart, looking tiger like. Over this was
worn very tight jacket of red satin,
very short in the vast, with tight, short
sleeves. On their heads were curiously
shaped caps, and their hair hung in long
braids. Around the waist was a silver
virdle with high bosses; and dependent
from it in loops was a very curious and
massive ornament or chain. made of
eight or ten triangular silver boxes, aud
many large silver beads A p-otusion
Of gold necklaces, coins and other orna-
ments hung from the neck and head.
Other Ghawazi at different towns wore
very different from this At one place
their garments were from head to foot,
with silver stripes, while the braids of
hair we're very preltily made, terminal
ing in many silver balls At Stout |
saw one whose only ornaments were an
incredible quantity OF gold coins o! all
sizes.
The first dancing of all Ghawazi is
simply moving about to the music and
undulating the body. Then waves of
motion are made to run from head to
foot, and over these waves pass with in
credible rapidity the ripples and thrills,
as you have seen great billow in a
breeze look like a smaller sea ribbed with
thousand wavelets All is done in
perfect time with the music. Then the
air changes, and there is a variation in
the dance. The girl stops-she becomes
immovable below the hips and moves
only the body above rocking and sway
ing, expressive OF suffering from intense
passion. At times, and in time with the
music, a convulsion thrills the waist,
arms and head, and sometimes the
muscles. She becomes quiet; but If you
observe closely the movement, passion
and exertion are not less intense, and
the breasts continue to move as if vitality
remained in them alone; perhaps only
one throbs violently.
There is another change, and the dan
Ger sinks slowly almost to her knees, as
it overpowered with passion, while the
arms sweep in singular but graceful ges-