Tracing Roots: The Importance of Lineage and Acknowledgment in Egyptian Dance and Its Global Evolution

 

Tracing Roots: The Importance of Lineage and Acknowledgment in Egyptian Dance and Its Global Evolution

Dear dance friends, its a hot July 2025, and here I am in Egypt after celebrating my mentor Farida Fahmy's 85th birthday on 29th June in Cairo. Last year, at exactly this time on 29th June 2024, we were celebrating the monumentous launch of the beautiful book we co-created, Farida: a memoir. When people ask me why the book, which took four long years, was so important for us to create, my answer always boils down to one thing: preserving the true Reda Troupe lineage. For Farida, it was an opportunity to set the record straight about the history of the co-founding, the artistic development and phenomenal artistic success of the Reda Troupe - and later, the original troupe's eventual decline due to the internal government issues and mismanagement.

After its "golden years", the Reda troupe was experiencing its own breakdown in in terms of legacy, due to those who intentionally created a fictional narrative of their involvement, in order to boost their own careers. There have been many Egyptian and foreign dancers who have ridden on the coattails of Mahmoud Reda's legacy, and since being exposed through the wisdom of Farida's biographical book, many have ceased pushing the narrative. On the positive side, others have been working with the Reda lineage with upmost integrity, including the two people you see right here with me, the new Reda Troupe director Enas Abdel Aziz, and choreographer Mohammed Kazafy. Yet, prior to Farida's book becoming the official source of the Reda Troupe legacy, and earning a place in New York's Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts library, as the official source of information on the topic, most who had previously built their careers as self-proclaimed Reda affiliates, had exploited a false narrative. In turn, these mistruths had already infiltrated the global Egyptian dance and wider Bellydance communities, to the point that many students and even teachers, could no longer discern fact from fiction. Therefore, Farida's book was powerfully instrumental in clearing up any misrepresentations and most importantly, any lack of crediting the sources related to the authentic Reda Troupe lineage. What was equally important, was Farida's thorough crediting of all the important people who worked alongside the co-founders, including musicians, dancers and artists, as well as those who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes. All were instrumental in both creating and preserving the troupe's lineage, both artistically and culturally.

The Vital Truth; Lineage and Preservation of Egyptian Dance and its Wider Global Derivatives

The issue of lineage and credit in Egyptian dance arts is a complex and sensitive one, and dancers worldwide are absolutely right to bring attention to how crucial it is for the integrity of the art form. When artists, especially those who have devoted their lives to research and practice, see their work plagiarized or appropriated, it’s not just a personal disappointment but a wider cultural issue. When we further travel down the "artistic fork in the road" of cultural preservation and wider global growth, we need to honour legacy more than ever.

Here are some of the key reasons why crediting sources and lineage is vital in preserving the art form, especially in Egyptian dance and its derivative art forms in both the east and west:

1. Cultural Preservation and Integrity

Egyptian dance is not just an art form; it's a reflection of centuries of cultural history, traditions, and storytelling. When we fail to credit the creators or ignore the roots of the dance, we risk diluting or misrepresenting the cultural significance behind the movements, music, and expressions. By crediting the pioneering artists like Mahmoud Reda and others, we not only acknowledge their contributions but also ensure that the art stays tied to its origins. This helps preserve the authenticity and depth of the tradition. Even its derivative art forms have a lineage that deserves clarity for all involved; the artist, the student, and the community.

2. Respect for the Original Creators

Just as in any other creative field, artists in the Egyptian dance community and abroad, whether they are performers, choreographers, or teachers, invest significant time, effort, and resources into their craft. When choreography, steps, or unique interpretations are used without permission or credit, it’s an infringement on intellectual property and personal achievement. These original cultural artists are not just "choreographers" or "teachers"—they are cultural custodians, and their work deserves to be acknowledged as such. Those who follow are not custodians, but play an important role in the evolution of the Egyptian-inspired dance arts.

3. Preventing the Homogenization of the Art Form and Clarifying Broader Cultural Styling from Individual Creators

There’s often a version of Bellydance that becomes “watered down” or stripped of its original cultural context, particularly when it's commercialized in the western world. Sometimes, certain styles and choreography are simplified or rebranded under a new name, making it difficult to trace back to its Egyptian roots. By tracing and crediting lineage, dancers and enthusiasts can ensure that the dance maintains its connection to its cultural and artistic origins, instead of becoming a generic dance that loses its deeper meaning. Many dances would agree that there are cultural movements that become broadly recognised and adaptable, to which it is difficult to pin a certain person as the creator. Often in social dancing or cultural dances that have been replicated for many years there is a generic way of moving that can easily be adopted by many, and is also highly identifiable. So in this case it would be difficult to credit one person however a lineage can also be a cultural style, and by citing this a dancer, it will at least acknowledge that they understand that they are drawing on a well of cultural impetus. Therefore broader cultural styling and individual creators can usually be determined through lineages, and by maintaining are correct knowledge of what is social, cultural or individually created, we can determine the proper foundations for generations to come. On another note, even "fusion" styles deserve a lineage which addresses their roots or at least the creative impulses and ideas that shaped them. 

4. Empowerment for Contemporary Artists

Acknowledging the work of those who came before is essential for empowering current and future generations of dancers. When we credit pioneering choreographers and dancers, we not only honor their legacy but also create a more vibrant and diverse dance community. Younger dancers can feel encouraged to continue the research and development of the art, rather than feeling like they're working in a vacuum or that their ideas will be exploited without recognition. When an individuals artistic creations are easy to identify, or have already enjoyed a certain amount of public success, their work is often recognisable. However, this is usually more challenging, and equally as important, for artists working within a smaller echelon or at a local level.

5. Elevating the Global Dance Community

The global Bellydance community is vast, and it’s crucial that everyone, from novices to seasoned professionals, understand and appreciate the origins of what they are performing. When dancers who are creatively inspired by Egyptian dance are taught to respect the lineage of Egyptian dance, they gain a deeper understanding of its complexities, which ultimately elevates the quality of their performances and education. This also helps to create a greater respect for the cultural nuances that distinguish one style of Bellydance, Folkloric or Theatre arts, from another, rather than treating it all as a single, undifferentiated genre.

6. Maintaining Educational Standards

Credit and lineage play a huge role in educational settings, particularly in the preservation of technique and choreography. When students are taught by instructors who are deeply connected to the original Egyptian artists and their methods, they are more likely to learn dance in its most authentic form. This educational pathway ensures that traditions and techniques are passed down correctly, preserving the integrity of the art for future generations. Additionally, it creates an ethical standard in the community where it’s understood that sources must be acknowledged.

7. Combatting the “Copycat” Culture

Unfortunately, a “copycat” mentality can emerge in any art form when plagiarism goes unchallenged. In Bellydance, this often manifests in instructors and performers replicating choreography or teaching without permission and presenting it as their own. This not only undermines the originality of the work but can also confuse audiences who are unaware of the original creators. By instituting practices that encourage credit and proper acknowledgment, we can reduce the likelihood of this happening, creating an environment where creativity and respect go hand-in-hand.

8. Cultural Sensitivity and Appropriation

Dance forms, especially those tied to specific cultural contexts like Egyptian Folk or Bellydance, can be prone to appropriation—where aspects of the dance are taken without understanding or respect for their cultural meaning. By recognizing and crediting the originators of particular movements, steps, or choreographies, dancers acknowledge the importance of cultural sensitivity. This can help prevent cultural missteps that might otherwise be seen as disrespectful or exploitative.

9. Inspiring Future Research and Collaboration

When dancers, choreographers, and researchers engage with the roots of Egyptian dance, they are often inspired to contribute further research, collaborate with other scholars or artists, and deepen their understanding. Lineage not only acknowledges the work of past artists but also sparks a ripple effect of continued exploration and innovation. In this way, the dance form remains dynamic and alive, continually evolving while staying true to its origins.

How Can This Issue Be Addressed?

1. Education and Awareness: Educating dancers and instructors about the importance of lineage, history, and cultural sensitivity can help foster a more respectful environment. Workshops, books, and online resources can emphasize the need for proper crediting. Teachers and educators can instill this ethic within their student community right from the beginning, and set an example by acknowledging their own lineage and crediting the work of others who have inspired their creative journey.
2. Clear Acknowledgment in Performance: Encouraging dancers to publicly acknowledge their influences and sources—whether in program notes, during workshops, or in social media posts—can help normalize crediting in the community.
3. Collective Responsibility: The responsibility to preserve the integrity of the art doesn't just fall on individual artists, but on the entire dance community. Peer reviews, public accountability, and a call for disclosure of any works that have utilised influences outside their own creative scope, can help create a more respectful environment for everyone involved.
4. Advocacy for Intellectual Property Rights: Perhaps one way forward is a stronger push for formalizing intellectual property rights within the world of dance, similar to how music and choreography are protected in other artistic industries. This could involve establishing contracts or agreements when choreography is taught or performed.

In conclusion, acknowledging artistic lineage and giving credit where it's due isn’t just about being fair to the individuals behind the choreography—it’s about honoring the rich, vibrant history of Egyptian dance and ensuring that future generations will continue to respect and engage with it in an authentic and meaningful way - both in the east and west, where art form is expanding at a rapid rate. I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can push these ideas forward or any other personal insights you've gathered from your experiences in the dance community!


Keti Sharif
A-Z Bellydance - https://a-zbellydance.com/
Farida; a memoir Book - https://faridafahmy.com/