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Middle East Studies

Dabke Workshop

Friday, February 24, 2017

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Sayles Hall

For Brown students, faculty, and staff. Registration is open and is required. Please click here to register.

The Brown Arabic Program and Middle East Studies will host Karim Nagi, Arab musician and folk dancer, who will offer a Dabke dance workshop for students, faculty, and staff.

Literally meaning "Stomp" in Arabic, Dabke (also spelled Dabka, Dubki, Dabkeh, plural Dabkaat) is a group dance found in the Eastern Arab countries. Performed mostly as a unisex line dance, Dabke is avidly done at the weddings and parties of Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian communities. A version can also be found in Iraq, known as Chobie. The movements include rhythmic stomping, kicking, sidewards walking, hoping and jumping. In social settings the dancers hold hands and form long moving lines or wide rotating circles. There are also many stage performances and musical theater shows that feature Dabke dances. You may also find Dabke used as a form of non-violent social protest during war and conflicts. But it is primarily a proud and energetic group line dance enjoyed by all ages and both genders.

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