Bichari dance

Nubian dance is done with a cane and looks like a warrior dance. On this engraving of a scene drawn by Al Martin on the Prince of Wales' trip to Egypt during the period 1770–1835. The music is done with heavy percussion while the only melodic instrument is the five string harp.
Bicharis are nomads that once lived in the region South of Egypt and North Sudan. Because of the construction of the Aswan dam they had to relocate to Wadi Halfa and dispersed in the Assouan region.
Bichari were very distinct from the common Egyptians. Wearing a cotton dress like the Ethiopians and a hairdress style sometimes like dreadlocks or later what became known as Afro-style. Canes or sticks were part of their outfit and one of their most famous dances was the stickdance. They wore a belt of dried fruits. Unfortunately very little is known from this tribe.

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author: hazim@belly-dance.org