Saidi dance: History and the tradition of Raqs Assaya

The Saidi originates from the tradition-rich region of Upper Egypt, the so-called Said. In this rural area, shaped by pride and family cohesion, men once developed Tahtib, a ritual combat with long, heavy sticks made of bamboo or hardwood. Over the generations, this powerful martial art, which served for defense and playful competition, evolved into an independent Egyptian folk dance. Women adopted this dynamic and created a feminine, flirtatious interpretation of the stick dance with Raqs Assaya. Instead of heavy combat sticks, dancers use lighter sticks, often curved at one end, with which they playfully and elegantly parody the masculine movements of Tahtib.

The music of the Saidi is inseparably linked to the distinctive, driving Saidi rhythm, which is characterized by two heavy dum beats in the middle of the measure (Dum-Tek... Dum-Dum-Tek). Traditionally, this sound is carried by the mizmar, a piercing oriental oboe, and the large frame drum tabla baladi. Anyone exploring the world of Raqs Sharqi will quickly realize that the Saidi is one of the most vibrant and joyful facets of oriental folklore. The movements reflect an earthy attitude to life: dancers step flat on the whole foot, jump, and proudly emphasize the hips, while the stick rhythmically underlines the accents of the music.