Baba Karam Dance Workshop

Two hour Baba Karam dance workshop taught by Farima Berenji. Includes an introduction into the history of the late Qajar Dynasty.

Jaheli or Baba Karam is a playful imitation of the machismo style of dance done by the working class men of Tehran. The dance illustrates typical movements inspired by tough street gang members of the Qajar era known as “Jahel”. Jâheli is part of an Iranian sub-culture that has its origins in the 9th and 10th century, a period when Turkic and Mongol marauders were present in eastern Iran. Local, informal constabularies were formed to protect each town or village and the men of these groups, called jâhel (meaning “ignorant” in Farsi), along with women, developed a subculture and dance with a mixture of street smarts and spirituality. Today the dance is also performed by women, and also sometimes Baba Karam refers to as a term for contemporary Persian Hip-Hop dancing.

Both men and women are welcome! Bring a fedora and shawl as props.