【異國情調】蘊藏豐富民族及文化色彩-冀讓東方舞

人們對埃及東方舞(俗稱肚皮舞)的觀感,往往分成截然不同的兩派︰欣賞者認為埃及東方舞的舞姿不單別有韻味,舞蹈與音樂層次分明,豐富多彩,彌漫獨特的異國情調,使人深深著迷;反之卻覺肚皮舞穿著暴露,舞姿妖嬈風騷,難登大雅之堂。

從小學習中國民族舞的May便屬於前者,她對這種特色鮮明亮麗,而且內含深厚文化底蘊的舞蹈情有獨鍾,其後於2009年成立個人舞蹈教室,更於2018年成立了Dance Nefertiti by Maxwell International,致力透過埃及民族和東方舞推廣中東和埃及文化,增加港人對埃及舞的認識,感受其獨特的氛圍,消除人們對埃及舞的偏見。May期望透過舞蹈這種不分國域的共通語言,讓人們能夠抒發及釋放一己情感,擁抱自我及彼此──就讓我們隨搖曳的身驅,揭開埃及舞神秘面紗背後不為人知的故事。

肚皮舞又是東方舞?

多年來受到世界各地文化差異的影響,更缺乏相關背景文化的資訊,一般人提起肚皮舞時,隨即可能會聯想起性感暴露的打扮,以至不時需要撫摸身體的舞姿,或因而產生不正經的印象。然而,舞蹈服飾跟音樂一樣,背後都有所代表的文化,意義深遠。May就此解釋:「肚皮舞源自埃及,埃及有悠長的歷史及廣闊的地域,多元民族裡有形形色色的傳統習俗,所以其舞蹈傳承同樣無限精彩,正是表現出舞蹈是人類共通語言的好例子。」根據各部落文化背景及地域歷史的不同,舞者的衣著舞姿亦會有所變化。

事實上,「肚皮舞」這個名稱並非來自埃及本土,最初有外國人看見這種表演後大開眼界,在語言不通及溝通不足的情況下取其名,May指出:「當地人會稱作東方舞居多。因為在外國人眼中,埃及屬於東方國家,這個名稱的認受性較高。」有埃及人甚至認為「肚皮舞」這一稱法,對其國家舞蹈及文化帶有貶義的意思。由於肚皮舞是從商業娛樂演變而成的版本,May建議若果有興趣學習埃及舞的朋友,應從民族舞入手。

• 埃及人對生命抱有莫大的敬畏及熱愛,透過舞蹈展現出強烈蓬勃的生命力,並從肢體語言表達出豐富繽紛的內心世界。男女老幼時常聞歌起舞,音樂和舞蹈是生命中不可缺少的一環。

歷史悠久 具濃厚民族特色

正如上述所言,埃及舞的來源與埃及的歷史密不可分。埃及至今歷史超過6至7000年,文化傳承隨漫長歲月有所改變,並隨搬遷的居住環境,繼而形成每個地方獨一無二的文化與習俗,以至具地方民族特色的舞蹈,若沒有這些極具特色的民族舞,時至今天就不會有現代版本的東方舞。與其他聞名古國一樣,不同地域、習俗及文化,孕育出不同舞蹈、音樂和服飾,令人目不暇給!

• Dance Nefertiti第12屆週年演出,May 帶領一眾學生在香港藝術中心表演。

• Dance Nefertiti曾於2020年,邀請世界首屈一指的埃及國家民族舞蹈團來港表演,正值舞蹈團成立60週年,觀眾反應熱烈踴躍;更獲邀於社區作慈善表演,為觀眾帶來快樂。

• May以香港舞者身份參與國際舞蹈團,實力毋庸置疑!

在夢想舞台上大放異彩 使人刮目相看

埃及舞在香港的普及程度,未必有 或街舞這些廣泛,大部分人通常於餐廳或酒吧裡看到肚皮舞,作為茶餘飯後的助興節目,而非在一個隆重的舞台上正式表演。自得到埃及恩師們的教導,May除了更熱愛埃及舞,她對這舞蹈的歷史文化亦有更深入的了解,其中一位恩師Mr. Osama Emam,更是埃及國家民族舞蹈團(Kaumeya)的團長。「當地人熱愛藝術,會到各大劇院觀看舞蹈,Kaumeya是開羅最大表演場所Balloon Theatre的駐場舞團,曾代表國家到世界各地表演。所以我希望即使轉至香港,埃及舞都能在一個漂亮絢爛的舞台上,展現出最好的一面,讓人另眼相看。」

作為一名舞者,心中總有一個悠然嚮往的舞台,而May便對香港大會堂有一份無法切割的情意結。「18歲時,我在香港大會堂獲得了香港舞蹈節的獨舞組冠軍,因此對我而言別具意義,當時希望之後會有機會再次在這裡表演。想不到兒時夢想隨後成真,並跨越了兩個古國文化。」香港大會堂對一眾本地舞者而言,更是夢寐以求的表演聖地,所以May期望埃及舞都能在這個舞台上大放異彩,綻放出讓人為之驚嘆的光芒。

• May專程至開羅最大的劇院Balloon Theatre「朝聖」

• 2019年的舞蹈匯演,為長者帶來正面及充滿歡樂的表演,連結各界社群!

• 2021年May與Osama老師親身到學校分享埃及舞蹈文化,有幸得學生們的熱情歡迎。

同是資深物理治療師的May,近年亦成立了慈善機構Dance for Life,期望透過舞蹈宣揚身心健康的理念,幫助有需要的人士。May未來會繼續身體力行,致力在港推廣舞蹈文化,期望香港舞蹈界能百花盛放,並透過舞蹈向港人宣揚擁有豐富底蘊的埃及文化,為建構香港這個國際之都略盡綿力。

• May本身是一名物理治療師,她認為舞蹈無分年齡,舞蹈治療更是有助人們抒發內心情感,釋放壓力,達至身心健康的境界。

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Lubna Emam

  • July 21 @ 15:00
    1500 - 1630 1h 30'
  • Mail
Lubna Emam is undoubtedly an icon in the world of Egyptian Dance -- a legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher, mentor, who helped shaped and fostered the development of this art for over five decades. Her unmatched Egyptian dance style earned her the name “Queen of Balady”.

Lubna was recruited into the National Folkloric Dance Troupe of Egypt (Kaumeya) at the tender age of nine. A truly charismatic Egyptian superstar, she was one of the pioneers in bringing Egyptian Dance to the rest of the world. She had her own troupe which toured around the world with Bellydance celebrity artist Nagwa Foaud. Lubna was not only the personal choreographer for Nagwa, but also worked with and mentored many well known performers.

To this day, Lubna’s choreography is sought-after by many international superstar oriental dancers. Furthermore, she also produces her own music! She continues to be a master teacher with a strong following of students from around the world. Her teaching focuses not only on technique and skill, but also on the appropriate interpretation and expression of the Egyptian culture. With Lubna’s busy travel schedule, it is an extraordinary treat to be able to watch her perform on stage and to participate in her workshops!

May KT Founder & Director, Teacher

  • July 21 @ 15:00
    1500 - 1630 1h 30'
  • Mail
After studying Middle Eastern dance for nearly 20 years both locally and overseas, May has discovered the beauty of its culture through dance and music. As a professional physiotherapist as well as a dance teacher, May was captivated by the intrigued movements of this dance form which is very enjoyable both to the dancers and to the audience; as well as a very healthy form of exercise to anyone. <br><br> Over the years, she has noticed the lack of knowledge of her rich culture and history in Hong Kong. With the growing interests in this dance form all over the world in the past decades, there is also an increasing cultural gap between the local “belly dance” scene and the traditional Raks Sharqi (Egyptian Oriental Dance), leading to misinterpretation of the dance and music causing wrong impressions on the Middle Eastern countries and their people. May sincerely hopes that by creating opportunities to showcase the genuinely high level artistry of this beautiful culture from a folkloric point of view, introducing the originality of Oriental dance, mutual respect will be generated between the people from both sides of the world. And at the same time, bringing the focus of the general public back to a traditional cultural art form that started in the cradle of all humanity some 7000 years ago. World peace starts from mutual understanding and respect. Throughout history, it has always been successfully done through arts and cultural exchange.

Osama Emam

  • July 21 @ 15:00
    1500 - 1630 1h 30'
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"Osama Emam, fromly General Director of the National Folkloric Dance (Kaumeya )Troupe of Egypt until 2021, now currently serving as Honary Advisor and Choreographer of the National dance Troupe, is undeniably the world leader in today’s Egyptian dance community.

Osama entered the Egyptian National (Kaumeya) Troupe Dance Academy at a very young age in 9. After 3 years of hard work, he was recruited into the National Folkloric Dance Troupe of Egypt (Kaumeya), and began his illustrious dance career.

Years later, Osama took a leap and left his place of origin, to broaden his horizons. For 5 years, he joined his mentors in overseas performances in London, Switzerland and many more places in Europe. After that, he returned home to the Kaumeya National Troupe. He had then also formed his own dance troupe, and had choreographed songs and dance routines for many films.

Osama has led the Kaumeya National Troupe in cultural exchanges around the world. Apart from being an outstanding dancer and an inspiring teacher, he places great emphasis on the expression of the cultural origins of the different music and folk dances. He currently performs, teaches and judges both domestically and internationally, and fervently promotes Egyptian dance culture."

Raed AbdElghany

  • July 21 @ 15:00
    1500 - 1630 1h 30'
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A native of Cairo, Raed AbdElghany discovered his passion for dance at the age of seventeen. He was trained in classical ballet and folkloric dance and graduated from the Egyptian National Troupe Dance Academy, and was an ex-principal dancer of the Kaumeya Troupe. Raed has many accomplishments in his dance career of over 20 years. He joined the Kaumeya Troupe in 1997, became a soloist master of el-Tanoura (spinning dance with a weighted skirt) in 2000, founded his own Ya Nawaem Troupe, and started teaching folkloric and oriental dance in 2010. He also received the distinguished appointment as Artistic Director of the International.
Festival of Oriental Dances (“Bab Al Noujoum”) held annually in France. Today, Raed is considered one of the great masters of el-Tanoura, and is a highly sought after Egyptian folkloric choreographer.