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(by (Miramar, Originally published in Zaghareet, Sept./Oct. 2001)
![]() ![]() Samora performing a Sword Dance (Raks el-Sayf) at our Februrary 2006 Studio Show Q: How do I keep my Scimitar tarnish-free? A: We recommend that you wipe it down after each performance with a soft cloth, and if it does tarnish, use a jewelers' rouge cloth, or a gentle jewelry polish to clean it. Brasso works well for the handle. Q: My sword is slightly off balance, now what? A: Assuming the sword tends to fall forward on side A. Place the sword on your belly on the flat side B, side A facing away from body. Now gently tuck/pull a little on both ends (sword handle and sword tip) towards body - do not bend, just a short kind of reverse padding - like you would hit a drum, but pull instead. We are talking a very small amount of force here, not sustained pulling. Test if sword is still off-balance. Repeat.
-----------|=== Sword (tends to fall ^ ) | | Belly | | v v Gently tuck V Q: Where does sword dancing come from? A: Sword dancing, or Raks al sayf, was not a widespread dance style in the Middle East. Men in Egypt performed a dance called el ard, a martial arts dance involving upraised swords, but women were not widely known to use swords as props during their dancing. Here in America and in other western countries, sword dancing is much more common and—due to its dramatic nature—very captivating. Dancing with a sword illustrates the strength and power of a woman, as well as her poise and balance. Note: Belly dance swords must be specially balanced and are usually dull to protect the audience. Also, should you use a sharp sword, depending on your local laws, that might qualify as a weapon!
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