Amazigh-Berber Shimmies: Dance of the Kabyl People
AMEL TAFSOUT * 2hr ALL

Fri Aug 10, 4:30-6:30p

This fertility dance comes from the North-Eastern Algerian Mountains of the ‘Kabylie’ and is performed with a long scarf while the dancer is doing very small and fast hip movements. The shimmy and the trembling movements are related to pregnancy and fertility, because they help the woman to give birth without too much pain. It is a very earthy and proud dance. Traditional Berber dances are mostly ritual in nature. The dance is both a public and personal expression, rich in symbolic dimensions that deal with subjects such as the fertility of Mother Earth, the rites of marriage and birth, and the communication between the earthly and the Divine. The Kabyle Berber dances are drawn from this rich colorful dance tradition that has been sustained by the unveiled, earthy, powerful and proud women of Kabylia.

After a warm up and explanation about various shimmies such as hip, shoulder and chest shimmies, Amel will teach a choreography created by her to Amazigh women singing.

• Difficulty: All levels welcome
• Please bring: pad and pen, your favorite reusable water container, a long hip shawl with stripes if possible and a square scarf. Amel will bring some Amazigh scarves with her.
• Optional: yoga mat, dance shoes, exercise towel

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43 presale

53 at the door

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