To Norma and Zuma,

Sword dances in all parts of Middle East were "martial" in nature and had very precise, even somewhat "scary" moves although graceful. Footwork is fast and precise. Modern dancers using swords only say, balancing on their head to "hypnotic" or romantic music (As in, "Hey baby, come a little closer and I'll chop your head off!) is not authentic sword dance from these regions. (Actually, Norma, to answer your question about is it used kinda like a cane more than it is like slow floorwork, that would be yes, the sword though is "wielded" or held (Think "Lawrence of Arabia") as if it has the use that it has, really to scare off enemies and show confidence, etc. It can be balanced on head, but it is not the main part of the dance.

Actually, Johanna's influences for sword came from two seperate sources. One was the Saudi Prince, the other was her longtime musical associate in the biz, Baba Ajdin Alslan, of "In an Egyptian Garden" and other recording fame. Baba was an Albanian born Turk who was an oud player, but had played the cornet in the Royal Albanian Marching Band under the king in his youth. During the 1933 World's Fair he accompanied a hundred or so dancers with swords. Johanna collaberated with him on a sword dance which became her signature and she was remembered for this in many cities where she performed.

In Afghanistan, they are likely to have their own touch to sword dancing, but there are many similarities between all the sword dances of the Middle East.

Aziza

Zuma,

Here is an article that might help you understand.

www.star-telegram.com/238/sto...544.html

As said below in this thread, Carol Shannon was a bellydancer in Fort Worth, Texas that went around with Wilson in the Middle East.

Deede - It says she is an airline attendant.