Be a Belly Nerd - Mejance
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"Mejence" (more commonly spelled mejance, megeance, or mejanse) refers to a specific style of music and performance in Middle Eastern dance, particularly belly dance (Raqs Sharqi).
It is essentially a dancer’s "opening number" or entrance piece. Because the word is a transliteration from Arabic, you will see many different spellings.
1. The Purpose of a Mejance
A mejance is designed to be a "musical calling card." It is the first piece of music played when a dancer enters the stage, and its goal is to showcase the dancer’s versatility and range in a single song. It serves as a mini-summary of the entire performance to follow.
2. Key Characteristics
A typical mejance is a complex, multi-part music composition that usually includes:
A Grand Entrance: A fast-paced, powerful opening (often in 2/4 time) that allows the dancer to travel across the stage and greet the audience.
Rhythm Changes: It shifts through various traditional rhythms, such as Maqsum, Masmoudi, Saidi, or even more difficult rhythms such as Samaii which is 10/8 time signature.
Folkloric Sections: Brief segments that incorporate different regional styles, like for example a cane dance (Saidi) or a Gulf style (Khaleeji).
The Taqsim: A slower, melodic improvisation (usually on an instrument like an oud, violin, or accordion) where the single instrument is highlighted.
The Finale: A high-energy ending, often returning to the original theme, to conclude the entrance before moving into the rest of the set.
3. Origin
The term is believed to be derived from the French word "mise-en-scène," which refers to the arrangement of a stage or a "setting of the scene." In the mid-20th century, Cairo's high-end nightclubs (which were heavily influenced by European cabaret culture) began commissioning these elaborate orchestral pieces for top-tier dancers. Although this style of music and dance has been around a long time this term Mejance is fairly new when applied to belly dance. Within the past 20 or so years. Previous to this it was called an “orientale” piece referring to the near east style of dance or just plainly entrance piece.
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