Interview with Odara Nur Mahin

INTERVIEW:

Yannah: Thank you for agreeing to allow me to interview you.  Please feel free to answer in a way that reflects your personality.
We want to make sure that our audience really understands who you are and can feel your personality through your words.  

Question: What is your stage name and does the name have a story? 

Odara Nur Mahin:  My stage name is Odara Nur Mahin.
I chose this name because the Odara is a word of Yoruba origin, linked to the African religions, with meaning connected with beauty, positivity. It is a concept of beauty that embraces the good and the beautiful in the same idea. In this sense, related to material, 3physical and spiritual well-being. In Candomblé, Odara is the Esu of infinity, of the eternal, creator of all things.

The word Nur related to Arabic with which means “Light”

And the name Mahin in honor of Luisa Mahin, leader of the Malê Revolt that occurred in Bahia, Brazil that fought against slavery.

Question: Please tell us about yourself and how you became a dancer.

Odara Nur Mahin:  Since I was a child, I have always loved the dance! Participated in all activities in public school, such as the presentation of mother’s day, June party [June Party or Festa Junina, Festa Junina is a large social gathering of dancing, drinking, and eating]. As a teenager, I took jazz lessons for a short period. But I left to devote myself to scientific training.  I have a degree in biological sciences from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). And I have a Specialization in Parasitic Biology. I am currently a Public-School Science teacher. After finishing college, I started at belly dance classes. And I loved it in the first class.

Question: What do you remember about the first time you saw a belly dancer?

Odara Nur Mahin:  The first dancer I saw years ago was very different from the dancer that I am today, especially in the aesthetic sense and in the relationship that I have with dance. But it sure was important! Without her I would not be the dancer I am today!

Question: What is the first word you think of when you hear the word belly dance?

Odara Nur Mahin:  I think of ancestry! Bellydance has the power to tell our origin!

Question: Who are some of the belly dancers that you admire?

Odara Nur Mahin:  It’s a difficult question to answer! I admire many dancers all over the world! Amar Gamal, Ebony Quals, Rachid Alexander … I admire every dancer from the BellyBlack Resistance company. And many others who do an incredible job here in Brazil. It would be difficult to name. I run the risk of leaving someone important out.

Question: How long have you been belly dancing?

Odara Nur Mahin:  I started in 2009, when I finished college. But I had difficulty continuing my studies on a regular basis for belly dance. I had to stop to finish my degree. I returned to dance and working with my sister, Nubia Candace as the duo “Raqs Ibeji” and the group Resistência  Bellyblack in the year 2018.

Question: Who was your most important dance teacher and what did you learn from her?

Odara Nur Mahin: My most important teacher is Cíntia Carvalho. She was my first belly dance teacher. And my whole base in the dance came through her encouragement. I was allowed to create which proposed challenges for me as a dancer.

Question: Do you have training in any other form of dance?

Odara Nur Mahin: I had a bit of jazz bases in childhood and early adolescence. And today I study symbology of Orixas (or Orishas)and Afro dances with teacher Eliete Miranda. I recently started venturing into urban dances. Also, I’m currently studying postgraduate studies in dance and corporal conscience

Question: What does belly dance mean to you?

Odara Nur Mahin: Belly dance today has the meaning of finding myself, with my sisters and brothers from all over the world, to take back what has been taken from us. It is the means of connection with ancestry, with the knowledge present in Africa and with our spiritual selves.

Question: Are there any misconceptions about belly dancers in Brazil?

Odara Nur Mahin:  A Great Misconception is that the people within the dance seem to “forget” that Egypt is in Africa!  We also continue to struggle against the stereotype that belly dancers are less studious, with less technique, just below other dances. Another problem is that dancing often becomes just a sexual fetish.

Question: What is it like for black and brown (Afro-Brazilian) belly dancers in Brazil?

Odara Nur Mahin:  There is much difficulty for black and brown belly dancers in Brazil. It’s as if we do not exist!   Eurocentric dance pattern is dominant. There is no room for us at big events. It is difficult to get a contract, there are reports of people who do not want to hire black dancers or dancers with Afro hair.

Question: Are there opportunities for black and brown (Afro-Brazilian) belly dancers to earn a living as a dancer in your country? Please explain?

Odara Nur Mahin:  The opportunities are very scarce. Although Brazil is a black majority country, this is not reflected in the belly dance community here. Many dancers try to adapt.  There are difficulties in teaching classes, there are almost no black dancers at major events. There is an expectation/imposition on the body shape and hair, even if veiled. Many contractors exhibit racist behavior which ends up driving away dancers.