March marks the birthday month of Egypt’s beloved, famous, and influential belly dancer and actress, Samia Gamal. Zainab Khalil Ibrahim Mahfouz, better known as Samia Gamal, was born on 5 March 1924 in Beni Suef. She became a household name after enduring a difficult childhood. Gamal’s mother passed away when she was young, and she ended up living with her father, and his wife, who made her taste all the colors of suffering. In an attempt to escape, she took on diverse professions to support herself and become independent, working as a tailor, a factory worker, and a nurse. Her love for dance grew after watching the film, ‘The Queen of Stages’ (1936), featuring Badia Masabani, the oriental dancer. She joined Masabani’s dancing troupe where she was trained by Masabni herself, who also helped her choose her stage name, Samia. With her beauty, charming personality, and skills, Gamal stood out to the audience, establishing herself as a dancer. Her unique blend of traditional techniques with modern elements set her apart from other dancers of her generation and earned her widespread acclaim. Her fans and audience felt a great connection to…
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