AAMED MAGAZINE 1996
“As a dancer you are unique. What you bring to the dance from yourself can never be imitated or forgotten (good and not so good). Since this is a dance of the Arabia, Egypt, Middle East, Greece, Turkey, etc. you may want to consider a name that originates from the region of dance you find yourself most attached to. Avoid common silliness and remember if you choose a name that is of foreign descent, it has a meaning all its own. (Do you want to be known as a branch of tree or a rosebud?) Your name should roll off the tongue. Harsh sounding names will conjure up visions of ‘goodness knows what’ when told to those who have never seen you.
The first name I selected was Mandalla. I soon found out that no one knew how to pronounce it correctly. Actually Mandalla is the name of the circular designs symbolically used in Buddhism to represent the never-ending circle and inter-connection of all life. By sheer accident, Serena, my first teacher introduced me at my first paid performance and found she couldn’t remember my name, so she just said uh uh M. Mara (my real name is Marion). I used this name for many years until I decided to specialize in Egyptian dances both folklore and Orientale. Various Egyptians commented and almost laughed at my name. I then found out that Mara, which I thought so unique, really meant Woman (but a very earthy street version of hot mama). So, it was suggested I change to Amara.
Bands like to introduce you wit three syllables and if you don’t have three, they will sound it our so slow as to add that third syllable whether you like it or not. i.e. Basma,…Bas-si-ma. Amara simply means nice. So I added the Al Amir (which means Price or Princess) to create the meaning: The Nice Princess. A nickname I was given by Egyptians all the time here and in Egypt.
You will, always be inundated with information through your dances classes, friend’s opinions, comments from the ME community, books, music, videos, etc. But when you have an identity, you can pick and choose what matches and enhances that identity instead of trying to be all things to all people. When you personalize movements to fit the image you have of yourself via your name, you will also enjoy the act of dancing more (often what motivates us in the first place.) Dancing also involves acting. Actors may play many characters but always with the particular flair that is uniquely theirs. Creating distinction will help avoid the robot syndrome when dancers really don’t know who they are as a performer. We weren’t born wearing a belly dance costume although we may have shimmied our way out into the world. We may have different images we want to portray. Ala, herein lies the art of belly dance. A clear image of what we want audiences to know and remember about us is the starting point for all your growth and fun you can have in learning and performing this dance.
Respect is key to building dance opportunities. Respect is gained by paying attention to all the possible repercussions a name for yourself can bring, Remember; it is never too late to change or adapt your name to fit your personalized goals. I live with one name for 10 years and the adaptation now for more than another 10 years.