Rossah’s recommends:

 

READING

 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coeho  A fable about following your dreams.

 

The Danse Orientale by Jamila Salimpour

This is the complete workbook for all of my dancers.  Google Jamila Salimpour and find a way to purchase it online.  It has all of the Jamila technique broken down and categorized for you.  Cymbals and veil work included,  A MUST!

 

Grandmothers Secrets – The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Bellydance by Rosina Fawzia Al-Rawi

 

Serpent of the Nile by Wendy Buonaventura

 

My Life by Isadora Duncan

 

When God was a Woman by Merlin Stone

 

The Compleat Belly Dancer by Julie Russo Mishkin and Marta Schill.  Out of print but worth a trip to the Used Book Store or Library to find.

 

Harem, the World Beneath the Veil by Alev Lytle Croutier

 

The Voice of Egypt – Umm Kulthum by Virginia Danielson

 

Bellydance: A Guide to Middle Eastern Dance, It’s Music, It’s Culture and Costume by Keti Sharif  Beautiful photography, well written.

 

When Drummers were Women – a spiritual history of rhythm by Layne Redmond

 

Looking for Little Egypt by Donna Carlton

 

Bellydancing for Fitness:  The Ultimate Dance Workout that Unleashes your Creative Spirit by Tamalyn Dallal

 

For fun:

 

Skinny Hips and All – Tom Robbins

 

Snake Hips:  Belly Dancing and How I Found True Love by Anne Thomas Soffee

 

 

NOTE:   There’s so much more out there, but I believe this will get you started.

 

MUSIC

 

New dancers always ask what music they should buy to practice to.  There is so much great music out there, it is hard to begin.  My first recommendation is a CD that has many of the classics all in one place.  You should know these songs by heart.

 

Dancing for Fortune and Fame by the The Mogador Band with Spiro Cardamis

 

Music of the Ghawazee, Araf #DA 700

 

Music of the Ouled Nail, Araf # DA 701

 

Music of the Fellahin, Araf # DA 702

 

Music for Oriental Dance, Araf # DA 703

 

Jalilah’s Raks Sharki – Buy the entire set.

 

Sirocco, Vol. 1, 2, 3

 

Uncle Mafufo:  25 Essential Rhythms for Bellydance

DrumSongs for Dancers

Thrilling, Chilling, Zills

Buy anything from this man-drums or music.  You won’t be disappointed.

 

If I’m driving in my car, I listen to:

 

Metkaal Kenawe

 

Khaled

 

Hakim

 

Amine