I stumbled across a wonderful interview with the legendary Egyptian belly dancer and actor Fifi Abdou (فيفي عبده) in Vogue Arabia and I wanted to share a few quotes here because her comments touch on how belly dancers are perceived in the Middle East.
With regards to her acting roles and the portrayal of belly dancers in film she says,
“Belly dancing is far from decadent. I used to dance, but at the same time I was taking care of a whole family, supporting myself and bringing up my daughters.”
About her feelings for belly dancing the article says,
“She loves belly dancing and fiercely defends it, defying anyone who attacks her and underestimates its value. Belly dancing rewarded her with love and opened the doors of local and international fame, enabling Abdou to win the hearts of people. She, in return, danced for everyone, including presidents from all over the world. She’s even walked the red carpet at the Cannes film festival, and sat with Hollywood celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone and Elizabeth Taylor.
The 66-year-old Abdou is comfortable in her own skin and satisfied with her work as a professional belly dancing artist. She has no remorse and feels no shame, even though the profession is not always valued in the region. The long years haven’t marked her face or soul with wrinkles, but made her character more experienced and her thinking more mature.”
The photographer Youssef Nabil who took the photographs for the article, says this about Fifi,
“She is such a warrior, a simple and bold woman. I like her courageous way in defending belly dancing in our society, be it verbally or by means of dancing despite her age. She granted belly dancing a ‘dignity’ in the recent decades, and I share the same attitude with her because in my work, I always seek to uphold this art form that we’ve maintained in Egypt since the age of the pharaohs.”
I encourage you to read the entire article if you have time, it is really worth it. They also took beautiful photographs of her in a more barefaced style which is interesting to see, though I am not sure what Vogue has against eye makeup - it seems like they always want everyone to look the same, like their version of what ‘classy’ and ‘tasteful’ is.
And I also encourage everyone to follow Fifi on Instagram - her freewheeling personality seems tailor made for social media. Lately in quarantine she has been posting videos on IGTV of her dancing from home, all made up and in costume and it is really inspirational and absolutely joyful!
I can't seem to post any of those clips here so instead I will leave you with some vintage Fifi in hot pink from 1986. I just love those seemingly effortless shimmies - she is incredible!
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Thanks as always for reading and I hope that everyone has a great week. The schedule for July and August dance and finger cymbals classes in up on my Classes page.