An Evening Spent In Marrakesh
In Marrakesh, Morocco on a recent trip we were offered a dinner show promoted as being traditional belly dancing. Sure it’s part of the North African culture but considering how Muslim and conservative the northern part of Morocco is, belly dancing seems really out of place. During dinner there were a number of acts and the woman’s act featured in the photograph above made me nervous. Imagine a large room with lots of people, rugs and fabric everywhere and she dances around with lit candles balanced on her head? OSHA would not be pleased!
While there’s some disagreement over the origins and authenticity of Moroccan belly dancing, it is often referred to as Raqs Sharqi meaning “Belly Dance,”. It’s a vibrant and expressive dance form that is said to reflect the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. It combines various elements from different regions and cultures, into a unique style.
In Marrakech is the Jemaa el-Fna, a sprawling public square and marketplace in the Medina. It’s an exciting hub of activity, popular with both locals and tourists, and is considered the main commercial square of Marrakech.
The Intentional Travelers 