Raks Assaya

Egyptian men's cane dance or Raks Assaya is an exciting Egyptian folkoric dance performed with a cane. The dance has its roots in El Saiid or upper Egypt, south of the country. Originally a men's dance that prepared them to fight with warring tribes, the Raks Assaya was also often displayed at times of folkoric festivity. The dance required martial art like concentration and skill to wield long, heavy staffs called 'taktib'.

An example of the women's version of the Saidi Cane Dance

Egyptian belly dance - Saidi

Mahmoud Reda's troupe performing Raqs Baladna Saidi. Saidi is performed in the Egyptian countryside. It's a folkdance as opposed to cabaret (raqs il sharqi) which you commonly see in the nightclubs of Cairo. I love how they're perfectly in sync!