Taheya Karioka (تحية كاريوكا‎)

Hello Dancers,

A little more classic glamour today to take our minds off more serious matters. Here are two lovely clips of the Egyptian dancer Taheya Karioka (تحية كاريوكا‎). I always learn something when I watch her, but sometimes it’s also lovely to just get lost in the music, costumes and overall beauty and not think too much for a bit.

These are both from wedding scenes but the costuming is quite different for each one. They are both just lovely.

تحية كاريوكا


This is Taheya Karioka in a wedding scene from the 1942 Egyptian film “Dreams of Youth” (أحلام الشباب Ahlam al Shabab). She plays the part of Bahia, a dancer who tries but fails to make Farid al Atrache fall in love with her, In this scene she’s hired unknowingly to dance at the wedding of Farid and Elham played by Madiha Yousri. Everything goes along fine until she realises who the groom is. The bride’s aunt is played by the wonderful Marie Munib who’s on the left of screen with the feather in her hair.

The caption above is courtesy of The CaroVan on Vimeo.

Online classes belly dance classes continue through the South San Francisco Parks and Rec Wednesdays at 7PM. The classes are free but you need to pre-register at their online catalog so they can send you a secure invitation. Please contact me if you have any questions!

Wednesday Inspiration: Taheya Karioka

Well, I realized the other day that I have been blogging for several months, and Taheya Karioka has yet to appear.  That must be fixed at once :)

Egyptian Belly Dance Star Taheya Karioka

Egyptian Belly Dance Star Taheya Karioka

If I had to choose one favorite dancer, it might be her.  But I hope I am never forced to choose just one!

Egyptian Belly Dancer Taheya Karioka

Egyptian Belly Dancer Taheya Karioka

I am going to show two clips instead of one, since they are both quite short, and since I should have featured her much before now.

My love of headdresses comes straight from her!

I hope that added a little glamour to your Wednesday.  Taheya was such an accomplished and musical dancer, but she also illustrates just how much a dancer's warmth and personality matters over drill-like technique.  Everything about her is relaxed, easy and charming.  

This last clip also illustrates how much skimpier the costumes could be back in the old days.

This has turned into a bit longer post than usual.  My Wednesday posts are usually just one quick clip to get us through the week.  But she deserves it and I hope you enjoyed it.

Happy Dancing as always.

xoAlisa