Nisaa of Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - raqs shamadan performance - May 19, 2012

Nisaa performs an original raqs shamadan choreography to Raqs el Hawanem. The song Raqs el Hawanem dates to the 19th century and remains a popular belly dance tune today. The version here was performed by Guy Shalom and his ensemble. Raqs shamadan, the candelabrum dance, emerged among the dancers of Cairo’s entertainment district toward the end of the nineteenth century. The performer wears a specially crafted candelabrum - the shamadan - balanced on her head. She shows off her skill and dexterity by p