| Where is this dance from?
The American Guedra is not a replica or re-enactment of the North African folk dance but an experiential group dance ritual that has evolved for several years as a grassroots tribal dance. This version is not concerned with 'performance' but rather experience. It doesn't represent a historically-accurate tribal dance but is a group blessing ritual using rhythmic chants borrowed from overseas, and is not recommended for performance in front of an audience as that would change the focus & intention. I learned this particular dance ritual and also about the North African trance dance called the Guedra from videos and taking Guedra classes at Pennsic. My sources for the non-traditional version are Lady Amira of Orluk & Kharjin of Turku (who learned from Mistress Beaumarishka of the Outlands) |
| Who does the traditional Guedra?
The Tuareg (blue people, Berbers) of the Sahara in North Africa practise this dance ritual. The cooking pot used as drum, the rhythm, the dance, & the dancer (when she's on the ground) - each is called guedra. When the dancer is standing it's called t'bal. Their traditional movements have been documented & interpreted as having specific meanings (see Links below). Women are usually the guedras (center dancers), but both men & women drum or chant in support. |
| BEFORE YOU START
As Kharajin recommends, take off rings & long necklaces to avoid injury because the clapping & the guedra movements can be vigorous. All sit in a circle (touching if possible). Guedras (center dancers) start standing, sitting or kneeling on ground, covered with dark veil. Depending on size of group there can be 1 - 4 Guedra dancers in center (if more than 1, they are back-to-back). WARM-UP MOVEMENTS
When dancing using these movements, think of good energy pulsing up through the body & out through the fingers. |
| Chanting & Clapping
Unlike the zar, the guedra is not cathartic but benevolent; done to send good energy out to the world. Take time to focus mentally before starting. The group is not an "audience" but actively supports the center dancer by chanting, clapping, zaghareet, and mentally "being there" for her. The group sits or kneels in a circle on the ground, arranged as "A's" and "B's" around the circle (A B A B A B etc.). The clapping is done in a 2-beat rhythm, A's on count 1, B's on ct. 2. The chanting is done sequentially also. The clapping & chanting should be vigorous & loud! Clap hands forcefully & 'throw' energy to center dancers; rocking or swaying the body helps build energy. CHANTS (each part sung [A & B] overlaps next part continuously, starting a little early if neccessary, so the sound is continuous) Beginning - slower
(takes 4 counts: 2 measures of 2/4)
The guedra (center dancer) begins by letting the group energy fill her & make her move as in the warm-up movements. In our American or experiential version there is no choreography or required movement repertoire, the intent is not 'performing' but 'doing'. (See 'Ecstatic Dance' link) When her energy builds sufficiently or her veil is discarded signaling a change in intensity or feeling, the leader changes the chant to: Middle - faster
(takes 2 cts: 1 measure of 2/4)
Alternate or additional
chant for second part:
Alternate or additional
chant for second part:
|
| Afterwards
When the guedra (center dancer) finishes the group can stop chanting & clapping to rest (if there's more than one guedra at a time keep going till they're all finished). Before leaving the center, the guedras should ground themselves by resting head & hands on ground; one or two others from the circle can help ground her with left hand on her & right hand on ground. |
| Most of the current information on the
Guedra dance is actually descriptions of or interpretations of a performance
rather than experiential accounts, though there are a few.
Here are some links to background info & resources for your own Guedra research: Amazigh
Voice Amazigh history
|
Do the Guedra - it's good for your vigor!
ANTHEA'S
RESUME | ARTICLES
|
CLASSES | DRUMMING
| HAPPENINGS
HENNA
| KAWAKIB'S DANCE TIPS
| LINKS | PERFORMANCES
& EVENTS | TROUPES