The Guedra takes its name from the drum, made from a clay cooking pot of the same name, used to keep the heartbeat rhythm of the dance. It is performed throughout the North African regions inhabited by the Tamachek, also known as the Tuareg or Blue People, so named because of the blue hue their indigo-dyed garments impart to their skin. The ritual imparts blessings and good energy to the community, and is often done in connection with courtships and weddings. The version being taught today is derived from Morocco and Western Sahara, as taught to Janine by legendary dancers and researchers Katarina Burda, Amel Tafsout, Magaña Baptiste, Hassania Badissi, and Morocco.
Janine Ryle is co-founder and co-director of Danse Maghreb, and specializes in North African folkloric and Amazigh (Berber) dance. She has studied classical and folkloric Egyptian, Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian, Amazigh, classical Andalusian, Turkish, Persian, Uzbek, Tajik, Bokharan, and Afghan dance. Janine has performed with Danse Maghreb, Ballet Afsaneh, Hahbi ‘Ru Dance Ensemble and Magaña Baptiste’s San Francisco Royal Academy of Oriental Dance, at the DeYoung Museum, The Palace of Fine Arts, McKenna Theater, Rosicrucian Museum Theater, Mexican Heritage Plaza, Marin Showcase Theater, Stanford University and UC San Francisco. Janine is available for workshops and small group classes in North African dance in the San Francisco Bay area.