Popular Dance and Music in Modern Egypt

<p> This book is an exploration into the history aesthetics social reality regulation and transformation of dance and dance music in Egypt. It covers Oriental dance known as belly dance or <I>danse du ventre</I> regional or group-specific dances and rituals <I>sha'bi</I> (lower-class urban music and dance style) <I>mulid</I> (drawing on Sufi tradition and saints' day festivals) and <I>mahraganat</I> (youth-created primarily electronic music with lively rhythms and biting lyrics). The chapters discuss genres and sub-genres and their evolution the demeanor of dancers trends old and new and social and political criticism that use the imagery of dance or a dancer. Also considered are the globalization of Egyptian dance the replication or fantasies of <I>raqs sharqi</I> outside of Egypt as well as the dance as a hobby competitive dance form and focus of international dance festivals.</p>