Cairo 2

The Sufi and Dervish Show at Khan El-Kalili
Michael's new Cairo "buddy" - Mohammed - told Mike about a dance show that was taking place this evening near a mosque at Khan El-Kalili (Cairo's biggest bazaar). So...we went. We told Mike we had already experienced a Sufi show in Istanbul...but we were in for a surprise!
First of all the setting was absolutely breathtaking. The stage was located at one end of a medieval courtyard of a three story building built in typical Islamic style. Some of the musicians played from the balconies on the second floor, while the dancers performed below them - accompanied by other musicians at stage level. The dramatically lit building would have stolen the show...hadn't the show been such a formidable spectacle.

The show consisted of a series of skits featuring drummers and pipe players creating hypnotic sounds while dancers in elaborate costumes performed to the music. The dancers twirl...and twirl...and twirl...and they do this for what seems like 1/2hour without ever stopping. I would certainly throw up...or at least fall over. While they do this they also perform all sorts of other feats - from taking off layers of their colorful skirts and twirling them as they twirl themselves...to unfolding flags and waving them for the crowds - and then folding them back up into a neat little package....while never-ever stopping their twirling. It's hard to describe...but the sound and the motion and the color and the setting all made for an unforgettable experience. By focusing on the twirlers it seemed that one could easily fall into a trance-like state.

After the show we walked outside and took pictures with some of the performers. I particularly liked the Sufi singer who chanted in Arabic and sounded similar to the prayers that one hears during praying tine at the Mosques.