Bellydance Legends and Divas

1. Badiaa Masabni – she was the founder of the ‘Opera Casino’, in Egypt, and the inspiration behind raks sharki or Egyptian cabaret style, as we know it today. Badia Masabni was born in Lebanon around 1892/4 and moved to Egypt in the 1920’s, where she opened the ‘Opera Casino’. There, comedians, singers and dancers from different countries used to perform. Her target audience were upper classes and westerners, for whom she created a belly dance style that incorporated western elements, such as floor patterns that were unknown until then in Middle Eastern dance. Stars like Tahia Carioca, Samia Gamal, Naima Akef and many others started their careers in Badia’s ‘Opera Casino’.

2. Tahiya Karioka – is one of the dancers of the Golden Age of Egypt and was born between 1915 and 1923 in Ismaileya, Egypt. As a teenager she fled to Cairo, due to contrasts with her family, where she started her career as a dancer and was introduced to Badeia Masabny. Taheyya Karioka then started dancing in Badia’s troupe and she gradually became famous and starred in not less then 150 movies.

3. Samya Gamal – She was born in Egypt in 1924 and, like Tahiya Karioka, started her career in Badiaa Masabni’s Opera Casino. Samya was trained in ballet and modern dance. She soon became famous and starred in movies, including ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ (1954) with French comedian Fernandel and ‘Valley of the King’ (1955) with Robert Taylor. Samya’s film career was linked to her love story with Farid el-Atrash, the famous Lebanese composer, singer and oud player, from whom she eventually split up as he refused to marry her. Samya Gamal’s style is well known for her veil work, gracious arm movements and elegance.

4. Naima Akef – together with Tahiya Karioka and Samya Gamal, Naima Akef was one of the stars of the ‘Golden Age’ of Egyptian cinema. She started her career working for Badeia Masabny. Naima also starred in many movies and theatre productions and once won the first prize at a festival of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.