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When Azza Hafes first visited England as a child from Cairo, it was her love of Shakespeare and a tour of the Globe Theatre that made a lasting impression. Having left Egypt aged 19 yrs old, Azza is now bringing her appreciation of Egyptian arts and culture to Norfolk.

Traditional handcrafts from Egypt

After a life of travel and work around the world, she has recently opened a shop in Norwich to offer an array of alternative clothes including traditional dance costumes, jewellery, ornaments, and soft furnishings, all from Asia and the Middle East.

Soon after Azza left Egypt to come to England she married a British man and 11 years ago she moved to Norfolk. She now feels very settled in the county with her three children.

"Sometimes I think I feel more British than the British," said Azza

Azza makes regular visits to Cairo to buy stock for her shop, bringing back oriental chandeliers, camel leather stools, Egyptian rugs and cushions. She also stocks up on colourful dance costumes and tabla drums - for the art of oriental dance known as belly dancing.

Growing popularity of oriental dance

Although Azza's home is in King's Lynn, she decided to set up her shop in Norwich because of an increasing interest in alternative arts and dance in the area.

In recent years a number of classes teaching belly dancing to adults and children have started in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and North Walsham.

"It is an art form that originated in the Middle East but is going through a renaissance in the West with belly dance classes in nearly every town in the UK," said Azza.

Oriental dance at a shop open evening

"It appeals as a keep fit exercise that is different from aerobics but it's not hard to keep up with the music and the teacher. It is very relaxed and the movement is slow," she added.

Beginners start with the hip scarf which has bright coins sewn onto the edges, and tie it tightly around their hips.  The idea is to be aware of your hips as you sway to the rhythm of the music and the sound of the coins accentuates the movement. 

Ancient history of oriental dance

"The belly dance is believed to pre-date Christianity and Islam - Egypt's culture goes  back to the Romans and times of the Pharoahs too," said Azza. 

There are many types of oriental dance in Egypt - folkloric, tribal dances - with origins in different regions.

"In Egypt it’s in the children’s blood – they listen to the music and just start dancing," she added.

The French named the dance - Danse du Ventre - which became translated as belly dance by the British. Azza hopes that some day oriental dance will be seen as an art form like ballet.

Henna painting at a shop open evening

Monthly events at the Egyptian shop

Azza is holding monthly themed evenings at Sahara House, inviting guests to visit the shop, see the crafts and experience a little of Egyptian culture.

A recent open evening offered henna decoration and a display of the Isis Wings oriental dance performed by Samara Young, a local Egyptian dancer.

The Isis Wings dance is a spectacular dance, with a shimmering blue scarf falling from the dancer's arms like wings. 

"It provides complete harmony of synchronisation between the dancer and the music of the tabla drums, and the full costume is very beautiful," said Azza.