Whirling Dervishes and Tanoura Dancers

Meditation and Entertainment 

The original Whirling Dervish dance was – and is – a dance mediation. However, the whirling dance has long been adapted for entertainment as well, with the performers using multicolored, multilayered, skirts that are manipulated to create optical illusions rather than spiritual enlightenment.

The whirling dance performed for entertainment is called TANOURA. It evolved from the dance meditation that migrated to Egypt with the Sufi Almoez Ledun Ellah Alfatime. Theatrical versions of the Sufi dance began to appear in Egypt in the late 19th century. The best dancers use more than one skirt, separating and combining them while twirling for hypnotic optical illusions.

While a tanoura dancer whirls, s/he may play large sagat (TOURA) or a frame drum.

Mohamed Shahin: Whirling dervish, or ‘raqis tanoura’ in Arabic (literally translated as ‘skirt dance’) is the traditional dance of the Sufis, and has its origins in the Turkish Ottoman Empire. It started as an alternative form of worship within Islam, and is performed as a way of inducing an intense personal communion with the divine, of inducing ecstasy.

Sufi practitioners of the dance wear long white kaftans, fez-like hats, and a heavy white skirt traditionally made of wool, in which they spin for hours around a fixed imaginary point. With his circular motion and accompanying hand gestures, the Sufi dancer engages in a sort of physical prayer, whereby he emits a huge bout of energy to the heavens. Sufi dancing is usually done in groups, with one man in the middle whirling, while the other practitioners dance around him in a circle. It is as if the dervish were the sun, and the dancers revolving around him, the stars.

The Egyptian tanoura dance is similar to the one practiced in Turkey in all but dress. Primarily performed for theatrical rather than spiritual reasons, Egyptian dervishes wear ornate and colorful skirts and incorporate the use of accessories to demonstrate the difficulty of the dance and the dancer’s skill.

From article written by Maura Enright, BABA YAGA Newsletter 

See A Live Tanoura Performance By Mohamed Shahin Here

The 13th-century Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi (Mevlâna) is all but considered a saint. One of the world’s great mystic philosophers, his poetry and religious writings are among the most beloved and respected in Islam and well beyond.

In a time of increasing tension in the region the festival is a beacon of hope for culture and freedom. Rumi was a scholar, who taught peace, love and tolerance, and eventually gained a large following.

Only a few hundred miles from the borders of war-torn Syria, the festival in the Anatolian city of Konya brings together over a million people from all over the world to celebrate Rumi’s work, his life and ultimately his death – also known as his union with god. The day of his death is referred to as his wedding night.

Whirling dervishes at the Rumi Festival in Konya.

Since the death of Jalaluddin Rumi in 1273, the Mevlevi order has commemorated his life. Kashfi Halford captures the celebrations and performances all over the Turkish city during the 10-day festival.

Sema is the inspiration of Rumi as well as a part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture. The Sema ceremony represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love to perfection.

Article and photos by Kashfi Halford and Matt Fidler, The Guardian

 

World Connect Morocco Celebration

Zohar Productions was proud to be a part of World Connect’s Morocco Benefit Dinner. The event benefited women and children in the developing areas of Morocco.

 

The event featured authentic Moroccan dancers and musicians, a spice market, a rosewater perfume greeting, Moroccan mint tea service, a traditional waterman, henna, and a keynote speech given by Richard Gere.

The event was held inside the Liberty Warehouse, located in Brooklyn, New York, right across from the Statue of Liberty.  Guests arrived at the venue via water taxi, where a Moroccan band and dancers were waiting to meet and greet them.

The event was a huge success for Zohar productions and World Connect. Guests were enchanted by the elaborate decor and authentic Moroccan experiences. Take a look at some of the fabulous photos from the event below!

Be sure to check our Facebook for updates!

A Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream Part III

Part III: MoRock ‘N’ Roll the Night Away

 This is the third part of a three-part series offering inspiration and helpful tips for hosting a Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream event.

 
Belly Dancers and Moroccan Musicians

 Entertaining Your Guests

 If you are hosting a Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream party, entertainment should be an important part of the event. Belly dancers accompanied by musicians are some of the most popular forms of entertainment at Moroccan themed events and will truly amaze guests. For a sneak peak at exciting performances, view our Moroccan entertainment video on YouTube.

 Dancing with fire is another type of Moroccan dance and entertainment that will undoubtedly impress your party guests. Fire dancers truly bring that ‘wow factor’ to every event.

Hookah Lounge

 A hookah is a single or multi-hosed water pipe for vaporizing and/or smoking flavored tobacco called Shisha (Shisha is available with or without nicotine in it). The smoke is passed through the water basin before inhalation. Hookah tents and lounges at parties are a very popular way to guarantee a unique and exotic party.

For information on how to prepare a Hookah, you can view a how-to video on YouTube.

Invite Snake Charmers

A sure way to attract the attention of the crowd is by introducing a snake charmer at your event. Snake charmers are intriguing Moroccan entertainers who spark interest and enthusiasm at every event. These performers only work with friendly, non-venomous snakes that are used to being handled at parties. To learn more about having snakes or other animals at your party, read Zohar Productions’ blog on hiring exotic animals for your special event.

 

Snake charmers provide a wonderful photo opportunity for party guests.

Read all the articles in our three-part series guide to hosting a Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream party, so that planning your next event will be a breeze. Enjoy your themed party and MoRock ‘N’ Roll the Night Away!

A Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream Part II

Zohar Productions, A Nationally Acclaimed Event Planning Company, Shares
Their Expertise on How to Plan Your Own Moroccan or Arabian Nights
Themed Party This Summer. This is part two in a three-part series. 

Part II: Simply Savory Party Delights 

Your guests will be eager to try unique party dishes of Moroccan Cuisine.
After all, what’s a party without spice?

A Traditional Dish

A popular Moroccan dish, known as Couscous, is a traditional Berber dish made of semolina. Today, couscous is usually served with meat and vegetable stew, but can also be eaten alone. On House and Garden’s website, you can find fourteen unique couscous recipes to prepare for your Moroccan Midsummer Night’s event.

Let’s Get Cookin’

Featured below is a simple yet flavorful dish from Food and Wine Recipes that is perfect to serve at any summer get-together.

Moroccan Chicken and Potato Salad with Olives

• ACTIVE:10 MIN
• TOTAL TIME:35 MIN
• SERVINGS:4

A savory lemon dressing with cumin, paprika, ginger, and oregano gives this salad an exotic flavor.

1. 1 1/2 pounds boiling potatoes (about 5)
2. 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
3. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
4. 1 teaspoon paprika
5. 1 teaspoon salt
6. Fresh-ground black pepper
7. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
8. 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
9. 7 tablespoons olive oil
10. 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3)
11. 1/2 red onion, chopped fine
12. 1/3 cup black olives, such as Kalamata, halved and pitted
13. 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

1. Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan with salted water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook at a gentle boil until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the potatoes. When they are cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch slices.
2. Meanwhile, in a small glass or stainless-steel bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, cumin, paprika, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the ginger, and the oregano. Whisk in 6 tablespoons of the oil.
3. Heat a grill pan or a heavy frying pan over moderate heat. For the grill pan, coat the chicken with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes. Turn and cook until browned and just done, about 4 minutes longer. Remove, and when cool enough to handle, cut the chicken into small pieces.
4. In a large bowl, combine the warm potatoes with half of the dressing. Add the chicken, onion, olives, parsley, and the remaining dressing and toss.

Next up: Finally, in part three, view unique performance acts that will inspire and guide your entertainment plans for your Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream party.

A Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream Part I

Zohar Productions, A Nationally Acclaimed Event Planning Company,
Shares Their Expertise on How to Plan Your Own Moroccan or Arabian Nights
Themed Party This Summer. This is part one in a three-part series.

Part I: Setting the Scene

Hosting a summer barbecue or pool party is fun for us all; however, coming up with an exciting theme party idea will surprise and delight your guests. Choosing an unusual theme, such as a Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream, is a refreshing change from your typical summer affair, and the first step to planning your Moroccan-themed event is to set the scene.

 

 Important Elements to Consider When Setting the Scene

Location and décor are the two most important elements to consider when setting the scene for your Moroccan event. Once you have decided upon the ideal location for your party, such as a hotel, restaurant, or even your own home, transforming this venue with décor can be a trying task. Thankfully, do-it-yourself décor is a simple and inexpensive decorating option that will set the theme for your Moroccan Midsummer Night’s party.

Create a Moroccan Vibe with Themed Décor

 Incorporating leather poufs and low couches for seating will create a truly Moroccan vibe at your event. Some of the best ways to decorate for a Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream theme include: bringing in bright and colorful pillows, adding low tables covered with Moroccan linens and floral or lantern centerpieces, draping the ceiling and walls, and hanging lanterns.

Embellishing on-hand furniture, such as setting out brass trays on low tables, is a budget-wise and resourceful way to introduce Moroccan décor at your venue. For even more Moroccan decorating tips check out a Moroccan Decor Pinterest Board.

  

Next up: Part two of the three-part series will leave your mouth watering after reading the recipes and viewing the pictures of delicious Moroccan cuisine. In part three, prepare to be entertained by Arabian-style performances that could be featured at your Moroccan Midsummer Night’s Dream party.

A Women’s Guide to Moroccan Fashion

TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN ATTIRE

Ideas and Fashion Inspiration for a Moroccan-themed Party

Moroccan fashion has become increasingly modernized in recent years, yet Moroccan women today continue to wear three classic Moroccan gowns known as djellabas, caftans, and takchitas. These three unique dresses are diverse in the materials they are made of and their styles. However, all of the different gowns reflect the traditional style of Moroccan garments.

A djellaba is an outfit that can be worn around the town or at home on days when there are no formal occasions. Djellabas are long-sleeved, unisex gowns, which have a head cover or hood. Typically, these gowns are made from cotton or wool.

For special celebrations such as weddings, women wear caftans (sometimes spelled kaftans) or takchitas.

 

Caftans have been worn by Moroccans since the era of the Sultans. Despite the older style of caftans, they remain the most popular choice for modern brides selecting their Moroccan wedding dresses. Bridal caftans are colorful and typically made of silk. Often, they are elaborately detailed with intricate, floral designs.

 

Unlike caftans, Moroccan takchitas have two layers. The first layer, called Tahtiya, is a long and basic garment with no design. Whereas the second layer or over-dress, called the Fouqia or Dfina, has a more elaborate design. This second layer is usually a caftan with beautiful embroidery and beading that buttons up the front of the gown with traditional sfifa and akaad closures. These tiny corded ball buttons and loops are distinguishing features of all Moroccan gowns.

In contrast to caftans, which are typically worn loosely, Moroccan takchitas are tightly cinched with a belt known as an Mdamma that is made of silk, gold, or silver, and ornamented with jewels.

 

Present-day Moroccan fashion is truly a blend of traditional Moroccan outfits, current trends, and modern style requirements. Designers have begun to adapt the styles of Moroccan attire by creating sleek outfits with lightweight fabrics, while preserving the traditional Moroccan designs. Although the younger generation has embraced this modernization of Moroccan dresses, traditional gowns are still extremely common and popular in Morocco.

Call 800-658-0258 or

email info@zoharproductions.com  for more information.

Zaffa Wedding Procession

Marriage ceremonies in the Middle East are changing and taking on more Western traditions, but there are still many popular Middle Eastern traditions incorporated into weddings today. An important tradition, the Zaffa, is practiced throughout the Middle East and is one of the principal moments in the wedding celebration.

The Zaffa or “wedding march” announces that the wedding celebration is about to begin, much like how the wedding party walking down the aisle signals that the wedding is about to begin in Western culture.

The Zaffa wedding march is extremely loud as the procession is filled with men playing bendir drums, mizmars, bagpipes and horns. Onlookers at a Zaffa may be surprised to see bagpipes in the march; however, but bagpipes originated in Egypt around 800 B.C.E.  Guests also add to the noise by making trills of joy (ululations), called zaghareets which are common in Middle Eastern celebrations, especially weddings.

What makes the Zaffa procession even more unique to the Middle Eastern culture are the Shamadan dancers who also join in the march. Shamadan dancers are belly dancers who balance candelabras on top of their heads as they dance.

No matter what the mixture between Western and Middle Eastern traditions is in weddings today, the Zaffa procession will continue to be the most memorable one marking not only the start of the wedding, but also the start of the bride and groom’s life together.

    

For more information on providing entertainment and decor for your wedding, contact Zohar Productions at 800-658-0258 or visit www.zoharproductions.com.

Moroccan Weddings

Family is the most significant aspect of the Moroccan culture, and family has more say in engaged couple’s future in Morocco than most other cultures. When a couple meets, both families must agree to and bless the marriage, as the wedding will mark the joining of the two families. Family is the primary focus throughout the event as the joining of the two families is an elaborate affair that is a central part of the culture.

Each region in Morocco has unique traditions for weddings, with preparations starting a week before the wedding. Women work in the kitchen preparing food, while the men prepare the venue.  The day before the wedding, the bride will take a trip to the hammam, a public bathhouse, with friends and family to relax and get ready for her wedding.

   

After the hammam, the bride will have a henna party where she has elaborate henna designs put on her hands. Traditionally, the bride isn’t allowed to work until all the henna washes off her body, making the first few weeks of marriage more enjoyable.

The day of the wedding is a frantic day as all the preparations are finalized. Most Moroccan weddings start at night, with guests arriving anywhere from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Guests gather around the table for dinner, then head to the dance floor while they wait for the couple. There is no set schedule in Moroccan weddings as things run at their own speed.

As the guests await the couple, the bride is in another house eating dinner with her closest family. When she is done, she is placed on a  raised throne carried by 4 men, called an Amariah, and paraded into the wedding venue. Her close family, loud trumpets, and huge baskets of flowers usually follow her.

Sometimes the bride does not arrive at the party until midnight. When she arrives, she is shown off to all the guests and then seated on a throne. The groom also arrives around the same time, sometimes carried in on an Amariah like the bride, and is seated on a throne next to his bride.

  

In recent years, brides have been arriving in white, western style dresses and will change into more traditional clothes, called kaftans or takchitas , later in the night.

The party lasts all night with much dancing and eating. The bride and groom spend the night sitting upon their thrones, dancing and speaking with their guests. When the sun rises, the couple is sent off with merriment, and the guests crawl into their beds, exhausted from the celebration.

For more information on providing entertainment and decor for your wedding, contact Zohar Productions at 800-658-0258 or visit www.zoharproductions.com.

The Souk: A Middle Eastern Bazaar

A souk is an open-air marketplace found in Middle Eastern and North African cities. Souks were traditionally held outside, so that the merchants could easily unload their caravans and display their goods for sale. Over time, Souks became more than just a market to buy and sell goods; they also became venues for major festivals and became a popular meeting area for locals and travelers alike.

In any village or town in the Middle East, you can find souks or Middle Eastern bazaars selling some of the finest crafts made by Middle Eastern artisans in the area. Each souk is unique and can have anything from Middle Eastern spices, to Arabian lamps and lanterns, to belly dancing costumes. Some of the most popular items, however, are Moroccan carpets and Middle Eastern blankets.

In the countryside and in smaller towns, the people take turns as to which day of the week their souks should occur, which allows merchants to travel from town to town and reach more customers.

In larger cities, souks are held on a grander scale where entire blocks are set up for just one particular craft. The crowds at larger souks are vast, but with blocks organized by what they are selling, it is easy to find your way.

Middle Eastern Souks are unlike stores in American where everything has a fixed price. Bargaining the price of an item is accepted and in some souks, required. You can bargain for any item, even cobras! The price displayed on an item is a starting point for the bargaining and gives the buyer an idea of the item’s value, so they know where to begin and end the bargaining. Merchants expect buyers to offer a lower price and with time and patience, you can get the best possible price for your item.

It is always best to explore a souk or bazaar as much as you can before bargaining for an item. If you have a particular item in mind before you go to a souk, it is best to research it to the fullest so that you get exactly what you want at the best possible price. To get a better idea about the quality you are looking for visit authentic craft museums in the city first. There you can find information on your item and see the difference between the real thing and a knock-off.

In the end, time and patience in the bargaining process as well as knowledge about the item you are bargaining for, will help you have an enjoyable time at any souk. Even if you don’t buy anything, walking around all the merchants and items is enough to make you feel completely in tune with the culture and daily life of the souk.

Visit  www.zoharproductions.com or contact us at 800-658-0258 info@zoharproductions.com.

We are located in New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami.

Hookah Party Ideas

Hookah Resist…!

The practice of smoking hookah originated in ancient India. It was not only a custom, but also a matter of prestige. The rich and landed classes would gather around to smoke hookah and socialize. Centuries later, hookah has become quite popular in the United States and elsewhere as an exotic and popular focal point at parties. Pictured below are tented hookah lounges provided at parties produced by Zohar Productions.

Hookah or Shisha is a hookah pipe with a long, flexible tube that draws the smoke through water contained in a bowl.  A person sucks on the end of the pipe and smoke is carried through the tube to the person’s mouth.

In India and Pakistan, the name most similar to the English  hookah is huqqa. Depending on locality, hookahs are referred to by many names, Narghilè is the name most commonly used in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Greece, and Turkey. Narghile derives from the Persian word nārgil (meaning coconut, and in turn from the Sanskrit nārikela suggesting that early hookahs were hewn from coconut shells. Shisha from the Persian word shīshe meaning glass, is the common term for the hookah in Egypt and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf (including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia), and in Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen.

The origins of the hookah began nearly 10,000 years ago in the northwestern provinces of India along the border of Pakistan in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The first hookahs were simple and primitive in design and did not look like the hookahs that are seen today.

When the hookah made its way to Turkey almost 500 years ago, it entered the upper class and became popular among intellectuals. Here, the hookah grew in size and complexity, becoming more similar to designs that are seen today.

Hookah came into Western culture when Lewis Carroll first wrote about a hookah-smoking caterpillar in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1865. After the book was published, hookah lounges sprang up in England and America, where today it is still popular to imitate the caterpillar by blowing rings and bubbles with colorful smoke. Hookah tents at parties are also very popular and are a great way to guarantee a unique and exotic party.

Sweet scented tobacco is smoked in the hookah and comes in a variety of flavors. Some of the flavors are based on flowers such as rose and jasmine. Others flavors are derived from fruits like apple, mango and strawberry. There are also flavors such as chocolate, coffee, licorice, and even cotton candy! It is important to be creative in combining flavors in order to create a rich and complex blend.

Even though many centuries have passed since the hookah was invented, its  popularity remains, and it still bringing people together to socialize and celebrate special moments.

Hookah lounges at parties are available by contacting Zohar Productions at 800-658-0258 or info@zoharproduction.com. We have locations in NYC, LA, Miami, and Phoenix. Visit  www.zoharproductions.com  for additional information.

Watch this video to learn how to set-up a hookah: