In all Middle Eastern/ Arab cultures, the Zaffa (Arabic: زفـّـة‎), or wedding march, is a musical procession of bendir drums, bagpipes, horns and belly dancers. This announces that the marriage is about to begin. This is an ancient tradition, possibly predating Islam.

Historically Wedding Celebrations have included the presence of a dancer acting as high priestess in pre Islamic times with ceremonial functions blessing the Bride and Groom. This ceremony was linked to Fertility, Abundance and basically good luck and prosperity. To this day, a dancer is still presented to introduce the Wedding Couple into the reception room to their guests. This has nothing to do with current religion, it is a social custom that people love. The dancer and the quality of the wedding show is a mark of prestige just like thousands of years ago. Everyone has a favorite dancer and wants her to dance at their wedding.

This entrance procession is called a Zaffa. It has the dancer (with a candelabra), the bride and groom, a group of musicains playing the zaffa rhythm on percussion instruments, a mizmar, brides maids with candles, or a boy with inscence. (there are variations). The Zaffa musicians playing the dynamic Arrousa Rhythmns and dancer/s introduces the Newly Married Bride and Groom to the Wedding Guests in the reception room. In the Middle East the Bride and Groom sit on a raised small stage in decorative chairs surrounded by flowers. They may also be seated at a head table with their parents.

In addition to the entrance procession, at the wedding ceremony, the dancer will also perform either with her orchestra/musicians/or to a cd. The Bride and Groom will then be brought up to be introduced and congratulated and they will dance together for their guests.. The dancer then gets all the relatives and friends up to dance creating an atmosphere of festivity.

If you are interested in having Jaida perform at your wedding, she has a group of musicians and singers who perform the traditional Zaffa for weddings. They also provide the Raks Sharqi show as part of the wedding ceremony. Each wedding is unique and a show can be taylored to suit each unique celebration. A dance show typically includes traditional as well as contemporary Arabic music (beledy and saidi), getting the bride and groom up to dance, and getting the relatives and guests up to dance. Jaida has performed at many Egyptian, Moroccan, Lebanese, Turkish (arab) engagement parties and weddings. These kinds of celebrations are joyous occasions and dancers and musicians create a unique atmosphere of festivity all will remember and treasure.

All Photos courtesy of Jennifer May.