Habeeba Hobeika Egyptian Folklore Dance Troupe

Music and dance have been a rich part of Middle Eastern culture for many centuries. Egyptian folklore dancing originated in the villages and rural areas of the country, and there is a wide variety of dancing which reflects the unique characteristics of each region. "Belly Dancing", or "Raks Sharki" as it is called in the Middle East, is a highly modernized and artistic version of the earlier folk dance traditions of Egypt, which has gained popularity around the world.

The following is a list of some of the recent works of the Habeeba Hobeika Egyptian Dance Company:


		PHARAONIC The Pharonic takes you on a mesmerizing journey back in time to ancient Egypt, when the Pharaohs ruled the land. The dance recalls images made famous from ancient archaeological paintings and hieroglyphs, and it might have been performed for the Pharaoh and the Queen, as a tribute to Aten, god of the sun. You will notice typical Pharaonic hand movements and poses.


		FI YOM WA LAYLA Performed in the classic Egyptian folklore style and inspired by the world famous choreographer, Mahmoud Reda. The name of the song means "In a Day and a Night". The Andalusian style dress that you see in this dance is used in the traditional dances of many Middle Eastern countries, while the Nefertiti-style hat is historical Egyptian style.


		GRANDIOSE This dance is an elegant showcase of classic Raks Sharki (Belly Dance) and features intricate veil work and musically synchronized hip movements. Raks Sharki is a highly modernized and artistic version of the earlier folk dance traditions. People throughout the Middle East enjoy watching this dance and take pride in the artistry of the great performers.


		CANDELABRA Traditionally performed at weddings, this ceremonial dance is used to escort the bride and groom into the reception hall. It is an artful dance that requires grace and master balance techniques. The dancers show incredible control, balancing lit candelabras on their heads while performing intricate steps and hip movements.


		DANCE OF EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES This dance takes you on a mystical journey back to ancient Egyptian times when animals were symbols of the gods. Look closely and you will see: Horus the falcon, who represented a messenger from the sky Thoth the baboon, who was the god of learning and wisdom Anubis the jackal, who was the symbol of companionship Hathor the cow, who was the symbol of beauty and motherhood Bes the bear, who was the symbol of music of dance, and the protector of children Bastet the cat, who was the god of festivals


		ISKANDARIA A modern day dance performed to a popular Egyptian song. "Iskandaria" means Alexandria, and the song talks about the different suburbs of Alexandria, each with their own customs and character.


		THE VILLAGE DANCE Egyptian folk dancing originated in the villages and rural areas of Egypt. The wide variety of Egyptian dance reflects the unique characteristics of each region. This light-hearted dance stars a six and half foot tall dancing horse that interacts with the dancers and makes a playful tour of the audience. This dance is sure to leave you in good spirits and maybe you will get a chance to dance with "Ali Baba" a little yourself!


		DABKE This is an adaptation of a rhythmic folk dance that is extremely popular throughout the Middle East. The dance showcases quick and intricate footwork combined with the lively spirit of the group.


		THE HUNT This dance takes you back to the ancient times of the Pharaohs. It is a powerful dramatization that follows Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut on one of her hunting expeditions along the Nile banks.

		NILE BREEZE East meets West, this beautiful dance features graceful veil work which portrays the gentle flow of the waters of the Nile. The dance is performed to music by Canadian Artist Loreena McKennitt.
		CAIRO DRUM This exciting group dance brings to life the rhythmic percussion of the Middle East, with a dazzling display of muscle control, using different parts of the body to accent the intricate rhythms - a real crowd pleaser.
		INTA OMRI This elegant and complex classical Middle Eastern dance is performed to a song by Egypt's most famous and beloved female singer, Ohm Kalsoum.
		ZAFFA AND THE FLOWER DANCE Performed at weddings, the Zaffa is a processional dance used to bring the bride and groom into the reception hall. This dance features the "Daf", a large round drum on which is played a traditional wedding beat. The Zaffa is followed with a colourful flower dance, performed in a circle around the newly wedded couple.


		ABDEL HALIM TRIBUTE This dance is a tribute to the famous Middle Eastern singer, Abdel Halim. The music is a medley of his hit songs, and with each new song, a new dancer emerges on the stage to express the emotions from the different lyrics. Although he passed away almost 25 years ago, his music and songs are still very popular today.


		EL WALAD DA A whimsical folk dance is performed to an Egyptian melody. The piece performance is meant to convey the playfulness and expressiveness of the music.


		EL ASSAYA This traditional stick dance is set to music with a distinct "Saidi" rhythm characteristic of Upper Egypt. The stick represents a martial arts instrument called the "Assaya".


		WAHED BAS A lively piece that celebrates dancing from the rural villages of Egypt. This dance captures the joy of the village people. Wahed Bas means "one and only".

	These are only some of the wonderful dances we love to perform. We also have many fabulous specialty dances to offer including: Fan, Basket, and Sword dances, as well as solos in a wide variety of classical and modern styles. Contact us to learn more about our repertoire.

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