Dance exchange with Yasmin Nammu

Yasmin Nammu, Brazilian belly dancer, and her student Newa came to Damanhur for a two-day visit. Yasmin, who has lived in Bologna, Italy for many years, offers a style of dance that blends exploration of feminine grace, traditional belly dance and the vitality of Brazilian culture.

On Saturday, February 26, Yasmin offered a dance workshop at the Art Barn, which was transformed into a kind of Middle Eastern style salon, with carpets lining the room. She shared vivacious belly dance and tribal dances moves to rhythmic music with many guests and Damanhurians, including dancers who are part of the Sacred Dance pathway. Yasmin shared what she considers to be the original spirit of belly dance, a ritual and sacred dance, not often represented in modern belly dance contexts. She also shared her knowledge of dance, citing historical traditions around fertility, goddess spirituality and femininity.

Friday evening, Yasmin and Newa participated in Ecstatic Dance Damanhur, and Saturday evening, the Madagascar event organized at Damanhur Crea, enlivening them with celebratory spark and versatility in movement. The dancers also visited the Temples of Humankind, appreciating the beauty and spiritual profundity they perceived within.