Who we are and what we do
The Kingdom of Ansteorra has a deputy to promote the arts and Sciences of the Middle East. This includes the areas from the Maghreb, to the Mediterranean rim, the Arab Middle East, Turkic cultures, the Levant and the cultures of Persia and India.
The Middle Eastern Cultures Group currently has an annual symposium and hosts the Middle Eastern Dance Competition.
Middle Eastern is not just for dance and music anymore. Middle Eastern Cultures is now focused on the promotion of all Middle Eastern studies in Ansteorra. Our community includes all Eastern oriented cultures from the Magrehb to, the Mediteranean ring, to the Turkic Steppes to Persia and India. This includes the study of their history, religious influences, arts and sciences.
We have a Facebook page called Ansteorra ME Community, and an active community discussion group under Ansteorran Middle Eastern Community. Join our pages to keep updated on happenings in the community. We also post links to local exhibits, information on resources and other topics of interest that are Middle Eastern focused.
For more information contact the Middle Eastern Culture Deputy.
Middle Eastern Camp at War of the Rams
We are planning our first ever middle eastern encampment at War of the Rams. The current plan is to have it at the corner behind Artists encampment and across the street from the WolfStar encampment. We plan to have classes and nightly music and dance. If you are interested in camping with us please contact the Middle Eastern Deputy.
Middle Eastern Dance and Music
Ansteorra has been a known world leader in the study of period Middle Eastern dance. Not only do we have an annual championship but we have several hafla’s and learning opportunities throughout the year.
Next Hafla – War of the Rams. see calendar for details.
Eastern Dance and Music Resources
I don’t have that much good information on non-Western dance or music, but there are a couple of sources of middle-eastern info on the Web.
Middle Eastern Dance – (by Karol Harding, Complete Anachronist # 70). This is somewhat dated, but a good primer on what little we know of period dance. This link is poorly presented but the original can be purchased from SCA.org, or contact the Middle Eastern Deputy to view a copy.
Middle-Eastern Music mailing list archives –
Dur’s middle eastern newsletter
Hafla Songs – Carmine Guida – Ansteorra Middle Eastern Musicians – Ansteorra has a large drumming culture with many drum circles and Hafla’s going on through out the year. We are also in the process of forming a Middle Eastern Melody Ensemble. For more information please contact the Middle Eastern Deputy. Music, scale and drumming cheat sheets can be found at this site and used with permission.
Early Dance Journal – Journal of the Cambridge University International Early Dance Institute.
Middle Eastern Dance Championship – TBD 2019
Every year, Ansteorra chooses it’s Middle Eastern Dance Champion. This champion is expected to be able to entertain the crown and populace upon request, and is typically a term of one year.
Current Champion – Layla Bint Yusuf
For a list of past champions please visit Ansteorra Past MEDC for rules see MEDC Rules.