Traditional dance takes center stage at Abha fest
Published: Aug 1, 2010 00:04 Updated: Aug 1, 2010 00:04
ABHA: A 30-year-old woman home science teacher enthralled some 700 women with a spectacular dance that fused traditional Arabic dance forms with more modern types in Abha during the weekend.
Wearing traditional Jazan dress and waving an Arab dagger, Alousha’s impressive performance to music played by a troupe from Jazan unveiled many of the salient features of the region’s tradition and heritage.
It was also an exquisite experience for the audience, made up of women of several age groups and segments of society. The dance was staged as part of the ongoing Abha Summer Tourism Festival.
Alousha is a well-known choreographer, who focuses on folk dances particular to Jazan.
What made her dance particularly interesting was her use of the traditional Jazan dagger, which is usually the norm among men dancers.
She is also the president of the Women’s Committee at the Social Activity Center in Ahad Al-Masariha in Jazan.
Speaking to Arab News, Alousha said that her performance was part of her mission to highlight and aggressively promote the rich cultural heritage of the Kingdom’s southern Jazan region. She also said she has faced no criticism from the local education department or any of its officials for her dances, which is a fusion of folk dance and other modern forms.
“I have been practicing several dance forms, especially those popular in the GCC states. A number of friends are also taking part with me in performing,” she said, adding that they are slowly getting widespread acceptance.
“A number of my dance students are also taking part in the show,” she said.
Alousha says that she never performs at weddings.
“I am keen to stage dance programs at major occasions, especially those organized to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Jazan. I have performed in front of prominent women figures, including Princess Adila bint Abdullah, at Jazan festival. I also represented Jazan in promoting its heritage outside the region,” she said.
“There are a number of women dancers who are paid between SR1,500 and SR2,000 for dancing,” she said, adding that these women dance to earn money to support their families.
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LAURA OF ARABIA
Aug 2, 2010 16:48
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