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By Hadia and Venus
The following are many terms that apply to aspects of Middle Eastern dance as well as words commonly found in Arabic song lyrics.
- AMAR
- Moon.
- AMARAIN
- Two moons.
- ANA
- I am.
- ASSAY
- Stick or cane.
- BALADI, BELEDI
- Of the country, folk, people. Style of music and dance. Rhythm breakdown, article by Hossam Ramzy, article by Hadia.
- BINT
- Daughter, girl.
- CHIFTITELLI
- Turkish word for bellydancing, also a rhythm and a musical type. Breakdown, more.
- DARABOUKA
- Arabic clay drum. The principal instrument of percussion in Middle Eastern music.
- DEBKE
- Traditional line dance from Lebanon. Debke is also done in Syria and Jordan. Breakdown.
- DERBEKE
- Different name for the clay drum.
- DUMBEK
- Same as above.
- ELBI
- My heart.
- FINJAN
- Teacup.
- GAMEELA
- Pretty, beautiful.
- GEEL
- Pop music.
- HABIBI
- Sweetheart, darling.
- HELWA
- Pretty, sweet.
- HIZZY
- Shake, shimmy.
- HOB
- Love.
- INSHAA ALLAAH
- God willing.
INTA You are
KABEER Big.
KANOUN Means, “the Law”. A lap harp played by plucking the strings. It is the predecessor of the piano.
LEIL Night.
MIZMAR Small, high-pitched double reed woodwind. It is the predecessor of the oboe.
NAR Fire.
NAY Small wooden flute.
OMRI My life.
OUD Arabic lute.
RAKS Dance.
RAKS ASSAYA Cane or stick dance.
RAKS BALADI Country dance.
RAKS SHARQI Dance of the East (oriental/belly dance).
SAGEER Small.
SAZ Long necked, resonant Turkish lute.
SHAABI Folklore.
SHAMS Sun.
SHARQ East.
SHEMODAN Candelabra.
TABLA Drum.
TAMRA HENNA Henna flower.
TAQSIM Break from rhythm structure; solo instrumental improvisation within a piece of music.
WALAD Boy.
ZAGAT Finger cymbals (Arabic).
ZAGHAREET Shrill, piercing sound made by pushing the tongue up into the roof of the mouth and singing “la la la”, in rapid succession. It is a tribal call used during combat or celebration and of course, to encourage the dancing.
ZILLS Finger cymbals (Turkish).
ZUCARIYYA Sweet.