| Shafiyya el Koptiyya (Shafî’a il IbTiyya) | ||
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(1851-1926)
Safiqa il IbTiyya (or el Koptiyya- the Copt) was born in Cairo to a respectable family who were scandalized by the thought of her dancing. At age 19, she was discovered by the ‘alma Shouq and would sneak away for lessons while her family thought she was at church. Eventually she did not come back from "church". On Shouq’s death Safiqa took over as the top dancer for the rich and famous. She was known for such innovations as dancing with a candelabra on her head or balancing a table of drinks on her body. |
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