Ghawazi

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Ghawazi (also ghawazee) (Egyptian Arabic: الغوازي) are female dancers who danced in return for money in public settings, and the streets. There were male dancers as well, including men who performed movements associated with women and who were pejoratively called khawal. ^[2]

Traditional Ghawazi dancers are becoming harder and harder to find as time passes. There are main movements and positioning of two of the most popular Ghawazi groups that are found in modern Egypt; the Banat Mazin (Egyptian Arabic: بنات مازن) of Luxor and the Sumbati Ghawazee (Egyptian Arabic: غوازي السنباطي) of the Nile Delta. The Banat Mazin are famous for their traditional Upper Egyptian vintage-style costume, so you can see how the movements would be affected by the costuming. The Sagat (finger cymbals), are optional but recommended in the Upper Egyptian/Saidi style.^[3]