Resources

HISTORY of DANSE ORIENTALE BOOKLET ~ 30-page booklet that overviews brief history of Danse Orientale compiled by Tahya to complement material covered in “Art of Being Feminine :: Belly Dance Basics” classes with Tahya (either online or in person)

WHEN THE DRUMMERS WERE WOMEN by Layne Redmond  ~ Layne Redmond was a composer, drummer, author, filmaker and educator and this book has become a renowned, internationally acclaimed seminal work that provides a spiritual history of rhythm and women’s role as the sacred time keepers.  SO MUCH valuable information is contained in this book that in fact it launched a worldwide wave of women resuming their role in the world with drums in hand! Read Tahya’s TRIBUTE to LAYNE REDMOND and see below ‘Documentary Film’ list for links to recorded interviews and more. NOTE: In addition to participating in classes with yours truly (see Frame Drum lessons), it is possible to avail yourself to teachings presented directly by Layne “in her own words“. Also, here’s a link to a free series of 31 lessons lovingly compiled by Kadambari Maa about and in tribute to Layne: The Return of the Muse.

CIVILIZATION OF THE GODDESS by Marjia Gimubtas ~ Civilization of the Goddess synthesizes the work and theses of her previous books (Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe 1974/1982 and The Language of the Goddess 1989/1991). All three provide a deep dive into the existence of a triving, neolithic goddess-centered culture in pre-patriarchal Europe.  Also, see below ‘Documentary Film’ list for links to documentary films about Gimbutas.

MORE:  Before her death from cancer in 1994, the pioneering archeologist Marija Gimbutas’ decades of scholarly research shaped much of the field of pre-Indo-European archeology (7000-3000 B.C.) and then her two copiously illustrated, oversized books made this research accessible to a nonscientific audience: The Language of the Goddess and The Civilization of the Goddess. The later illuminates the continuity between scores of religious symbols from the cultural flowering of Neolithic Old Europe in the fifth millennium B.C. to European folk cultures of the modern era. 

ARTICLES written by MOROCCO: Carolina Varga Dinicu aka Morocco and affectionately referred to as beloved ‘Aunt Rocky’ has researched and written much on the history of the dance. She also wrote (highly recommended): FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT VOCABULARY of RAQS SHARQI  and Answers & Advice About Raqs Sharqi & Raqs Shaabi (Oriental & Folk Dance). Tahya spent many hours studying with Morocco, sponsoring her in events both in Colorado and Pennsylvania and in turn, Morocco invited Tahya to be a guest artist at several of her programs in NYC. Her articles were published in numerous publications and we strongly encourage you to read *at least* these three:
– “Belly Dancing” and Childbirth
– Roots
– Giving to Light: Dancing the Baby Into the World

ARTICLES written by Max Dashu: “The female cultural record is far richer than textbooks or the media let us know. Let’s get to the juicy stuff: the creative, inspired, valiant women; and cultures that honor their female achievers, wise women, artists, leaders…”

DOUMBEC DELIGHT by Mary Ellen Donald ~ Instructional Materials on Middle-Eastern Percussion plus Belly Dance Music.  Doumbec Delight is THE source for information about basic music theory, simple and fancy drum technique, middle eastern rhythms, guidelines for creating rhythmical variations, tips for accompanying bellydancers, and practice suggestions. Companion cassettes available.  NOTE: Also, check out Middle Eastern Rhythms for Beginners Volume I Cassette & Booklet which contains musical examples for each rhythm written for doumbec, tambourine, and cymbals. Excellent for practicing doumbec, tambourine, cymbals, tar, melodic instruments, and dancing.  I also recommend Mary Ellen’s Gems of the Middle East Books & CD’s. These books contain rhythmical analyses for each of the CDs ~ a great aid in playing cymbals.

HEALING JOURNEYS WITH THE BLACK MADONNA: CHANTS, MUSIC, AND SACRED PRACTICES OF THE GREAT GODDESS  by Alessandra Belloni ~ The mysteries of the Black Madonna can be traced to pre-Christian times, to the ancient devotion to Isis, the Earth Goddess, and the African Mother, to the era when God was not only female but also black. Sacred sites of the Black Madonna are still revered in Italy, and, as Alessandra Belloni reveals, the shamanic healing traditions of the Black Madonna are still alive today and just as powerful as they were millennia ago. Revealing the profound transformative power of the Black Madonna, Belloni shows how She is the womb of the earth, the dark side of the moon, and the Universal Mother to all. Truly alive for all to call upon, She embraces and gives everyone access to Her divine strength and unconditional love. Read more about Travels to Tuscany with Alessandra!

BECOMING HATHOR: A Rite of Passage into the Mysteries of Het-Her by Naomi Ozaniec, 2015 (Kindle edition). This book is a feast for the soul, let its flavour and nourishment feed your heart-mind. This unique journey towards Hathor, Het-Her, has the capacity to become a life changing transition as a nodal point in your own becoming. The journey is suffused with life enhancing potency, but without your active engagement, all potential will remain latent. So if you are to walk in the retinue of Het-Her, turn your heart-mind toward her image and sound her name with a strong voice. MORE ~ Meditations written by Naomi Ozaniec, narrated by Tahya: JOURNEY WITH HATHOR

EARTH DANCING by Daniela Giosefi, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA 1980 ISBN 0-8117-2116-7 (pbk.)

MUDRAS, Yoga in your hands by Gertrud Hirschi, Weiser Books, Boston, MA 2000 ISBN 1-57863-139-4 (pbk.)

SERPENT OF THE NILE by Wendy Buonaventura, Interlink Books, Brooklyn, NY 1994 ISBN 1-56656-117-5

GRANDMOTHER’S SECRETS The ancient rituals and healing power of Belly Dancing by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi, translated by Monique Arav, First American edition published 1999 by Interlink Books

SACRED WOMAN, SACRED DANCE by Iris J. Stewart

WOMEN and MUSIC  by Sophie Drinker

LOOKING FOR LITTLE EGYPT by Donna Carlton

Kawakib’s Dance Tips and Guide to Teaching Middle Eastern Dance by Anthea Poole (a/k/a Kawakib)

This is interesting… Metropolitan Museum “reveals” portraits of a woman named Omene. Now entirely forgotten in the history of dance and entertainment, Omene achieved an incredible level of celebrity in the national press of the 1890s as an early practitioner of belly dancing on the American stage.

MARIJA GIMBUTAS (1921-1994) ~ You will find much on line about this remarkable woman’s research who is also referenced above in Recommended Reading list:
Signs out of time, the story of archeologist Marija Gimbutas
Voice of the Goddess documentary on the launch of her book, Civilization of the Goddess

LAYNE REDMOND (1952-2013) ~ You will also find much on line about Layne (including a tribute to her on this website). She is also referenced above in Recommended Reading list:
A Sense of Time An excerpt from the history of the frame drum with Layne Redmond This link is part of a playlist which includes interviews with Layne, her musical recordings and more ~ thanks to our friend Barbara Gail for this compilation.

Intro/Review Frame Drum Hold: Here’s an a short introductory video reminding you how to hold your frame drum (to avoid cramping).

Highest recommendation goes to the beautiful frame drums handcrafted in the Cooperman Frame Drum Shop

Beginners might prefer their first acquisition of either a Remo 14″ or 16″ size drum with a synthetic head. They are affordable and durable. Visit Ensoul Music for their selection of reasonably priced Remo Drums frame drums (for ex., the Thinline Renaissance Head Frame Drum 16-inch or the 14-inch Thinline Frame Drum) and/or take a look at what Steve Weiss Music has to offer.

FINGER CYMBALS aka Egyptian Sagat; Turkish Zills

Saroyan Zills ~ Visit the website to sample hearing the unique tones of each set!

Turquoise International ~ This site also has an audio file associated with each of the different variety of cymbals that you can listen to!

Zildjian Cymbals ~ I treasure my Zildjian finger cymbals and unless you can find a vintage used set, I don’t think you can get ’em anymore; however, it is still an interesting website to visit considering the company’s 400-year story: When visiting the Zildjian website don’t miss reading the the Zildjian tradition and reviewing the timeline… It was in the Ottoman Empire, in the year 1623, when an alchemist named Avedis Zildjian first discovered a method of fusing copper, tin and silver to create unique musical instruments. From that day to the present day, the Zildjian mystique has captivated musicians and music lovers alike. The secret method for blending metals survives to carry the celebrated “Zildjian Sound” into the present day and beyond.

Zill Speak ~ Great CD by Artemis with a wonderful companion booklet chock full of history and rhytmical notation!

First, permit me to tell you about my three TAHYA MEDITATION CD’s: These CDs are a compilation of relaxing guided meditations with hypnotic percussion. 

JOURNEY WITH HATHOR ~ Meditations written by Naomi Ozaniec, narrated by Tahya

AVI SILLS & ALEX SPURKEL = NAKED RHYTHM 
These two HOT drummers began their collaborative effort with a vision of mixing ethnic/world grooves with electronica. I *love* *love* the music on their CD ‘Frequency’ ~ I use their music in class all the time and never tire of it! Here’s the link to purchase their CD ‘Frequency’  ~ available ala PE-KO RECORDS 
a/k/a Hollywood Music Center = GREAT Resource for finding the music you seek! E.G., Find the Arabesque, Naked Rhythm, & Rhythms of the Dance (the “essential” rhythms ~ straight up!) CD’s here.

DOUG ADAMZ & Light Rain ~ some of my early musings of movement were to the strains of Doug’s violin and DeAnn’s cymbals on Dream Dancer & Dream Suite LP’s *wink* YUP, you heard that right: LP’s!

ALAN SCOTT BACHMAN
Alan Scott Bachman serves as a Utah Assistant Attorney General by days in support of his passion ~ music. Alan was kind enough to let me use “Desert Breeze,” a bolero, from his World Dance CD on my Healing Dance DVD.

PETE BARNHART
Pete and I collaborated on my debut Tahya Meditations CD.

RANDY CRAFTON
Randy Crafton is active as performer, composer, and producer. Formerly an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, and The Juilliard School in New York, as well as Chair of the World Percussion Committee for the International Percussive Arts Society, he is now engineer/producer/owner at Kaleidoscope Sound, a premier recording studio in Union City, NJ. Among my personal favorites is the CD entitled: Spirals: Unwinding for Vitality and Health composed by Barry Bernstein & produced by Randy. Here’s a link to Barry’s liner notes about The Body’s Spiral Rhythm

ROBERT FREY
I had the pleasure of meeting Robert on an excursion to Maui; specifically, an event hosted by Paulo Mattioli, and I was enchanted by the songs and dances Robert facilitated. Robert was reknowned as one of the most experienced male American Tantra teachers. Robert was also a talented musician, singer, song writer, Sufi dance & devotional singing leader. Although he no longer graces the planet with his footsteps, his love light still shines brightly amoung us… Listen to: Opening to Love

PAULO MATTIOLI (1956-2011)
Paulo and I collaborated on the Tahya Meditations Vol. II ~ Rainbow CD. My sweet “brother” dearly departed beloved Paulo was an active performer, composer and producer who traveled all over the world facilitating drum circles designed to bring participants “together as one community and to remind us of our shared universal rhythms.”   Blessed to collaborate with Paulo at numerous retreats in CA, HI & PA and in 2004 the Musikfest stage, here is the result of our collaborative recording effort: Tahya Meditations Vol. II ~ Rainbow CD,

HOSSAM RAMZY (1953-2019)
Among my personal favorites are the CD’s entitled:
Eshta; Source of Fire; Immortal Egypt (with Phil Thorton); and Book of Secrets and A Winter Garden with Loreena McKennitt. Listen to interview with Hossam.

OMAR FARUK TEKBILEK
A virtuoso on several Middle Eastern instruments and a masterful performer on dozens more. Among my personal favorites are the CDs entitled:
Whirling; Mystical Garden; and One Truth

RADIO LARIA
Nice! “Loops for dancers” are really good for practicing your drumming and/or dance moves with steady, consistent beat. You might recognize their “Slow Baladi’ loop I use in class. Check out: radiolaria.bandcamp.com/

UBAKA HILL
A bright and shining star whose music will move you! Among my personal favorites is her CD entitled: Dance the Spiral Dance featured on Tahya’s WDIY March 2014 radio show

GLEN VELEZ
Glen Velez is an internationally recognized frame drummer, composer, scholar, and teacher. (Read more about Glen and see a blissful Tahya in a spontaneous performance with him at a 2019 retreat in Connecticut). Glen’s concerts include a beautiful array of instruments ~ the Egyptian riq, (tambourine), the Irish bodhran, (a large single-headed drum), and the North African tar (often seen in the hands of desert nomads). Among my personal favorites are the CD’s entitled:
Rhythms of the Chakras and Breathing Rhythms
www.glenvelez.com

Moroccan Magic (Double) Dress: this is information about one of my all-time favorite dresses that I fondly refer to as my “Goddess Dress” and consistently wear as my processional attire. It’s called Moroccan (Double) Dress that can ‘magically’ be worn in many ways! NOTE: I originally purchased mine at a great shop down in New Hope called ‘House of India’ located at 76 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938 (215-862-3544) and I recently also found it online (altho’ I have not ordered any product from these folks so I cannot necessarily recommend, but at least you can get an idea of the dress) zarabesque.com/magicdress.php & whatnaturalslove.com/products/moroccan-magic-dress

Click here to find answers to Frequently Asked Question/s about CLASS ATTIRE and suggestions on finding a veil.

VIDEO ON DEMAND || Lessons with Tahya. Practice these practical, magical movements and rhythms and/or view the PowerPoint Systrum slide-show/lecture in the comfort of your come… at your convenience!