Biography
The Past
I am Sana and I was born in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon (Lubnan). I grew up in a traditional Arabic house built around a courtyard which was located in the old quarter of the city and inhabited by countless cousins, aunts and uncles. It was where the extended family lived for generations. As a child I spent most of my time playing in the courtyard of the house where my grandparents would often sit next to the fountain, surrounded by lemon trees, and a jasmine covering the high walls.
My grandfather loved to smoke his nargileh (water pipe) and listen to his old Arabic songs. My grandmother often joined him in her singing, she would clap her hands and circle her wrists in the air, she used to invite me to the centre of the courtyard for a full performance. My aunt Nuhad would join me in her graceful walk and flexible hips. My mother sat on the doorstep watching with a smile on her face. My grandmother always said (dance with your heart and your body will follow). Then my grandfather would ask me to sing the lyrics and understand the meaning. I have been dancing to Arabic music and singing Arabic songs from the day I started to walk and talk. It is part of the culture and a way of life. Most Arab women can dance and sing to Arabic music anytime and any place. I remember my aunt throwing her hips and twirling in the kitchen while making Arabic coffee until the coffee boiled all over the cooker. My mum singing one of Om Kalthoum's songs (Inta hayati - you are my life) while stuffing vine leaves and my father stood next to her admiring her skills in rolling the vine leaves.
The little girl grew up full of memories that shaped her present and future.
During my student years in Lebanon I was a member of a Lebanese Dance Group. We performed all around Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the surrounding areas. My role was to dance, sing and sometimes play the (DARABUKAH) Arabic drum, and various music instruments.
To be in England -My New World
My beautiful city Beirut was torn by civil war and my destiny was to be different.
I spent my first days in England crying. Everything was so different. It was very cold and it rained all the time. I longed for the blue sky and the stars at night. Everyone busy with oneself and seemed to leave you in peace. It was different from my world. My first shock was to find myself alone. It was a sudden isolation.
Feeling homesick, I would put my Arabic music on and dance.
The Present
Destiny brought me to England, it became my second home and where I formed an Arabic Dance Group ( THE PHOENICIAN DANCERS). We take part in various performances, shows and charitable events. We have been on TV (BBC of the North West). I was also interviewed by BBC Radio Lancashire re Arabic Dance and Music.
In May 2004 I organised a tour to the land of the Phoenicians- Lebanon where the group visited Baalbeck and the temple of Jupiter and Venus. The ancient city of Byblos where the Phoenicians invented their first letter and many other historical sights. We ate Lebanese food and drank Lebanese wine. We also danced in the centre
of Beirut.
We have created a large circle of friends and I am more than happy to share with them all my happy experiences and memories through music, dance, food and language.
SANA
