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Sheikh Othman Fair Day
In the early
1930s the activities to be included in the annual Sheikh
Othman Fair, or ziyara, had to be approved by the
Commissioner of Police. There were several traditional
sideshows, very similar to those found on seaside piers
and at funfairs in the UK. Those popular at Sheikh
Othman were the Ring Game, Lucky Dip and the Pointer
Game, entry for which was a Pice or two a go.
Traditional dancers
at Sheikh Othman Fair
Even these
harmless gambling games were sometimes banned. Another
popular sideshow was the Kerkoos, similar to a Punch and
Judy show, performed by one man. Apparently it could
become a bit obscene, but the police kept watch to
ensure it didn’t. Perhaps there was also a conjurer or
two and, as in UK fairs, there was always a shooting
gallery. But dancing of one kind and another was what
the locals had come to see.
Traditional dancers
at Sheikh Othman Fair
'Ferris wheel' at Sheikh
Othman Fair, Ramadan 1929
The tamboora was a musical instrument
said to give magical powers to those who danced to it.
By the early 1930s very few Arabs took part in Tamboora
Dancing, one of five or six different types of dances at
the Sheikh Othman fair. Those participating were
described as being mostly ‘wasters and drunkards’. Two
dances were performed by men and women: Arabic Dancing
and Zoobari Khadim, whilst men only performed the
Shahari and Shoobani dances.
Traditional dancers at
Steamer Point
There was one form of dancing that
only took place at the Sheikh Othman fair and that was
Jambia Dancing. Those participating thought that they
would be pleasing the local Saint by cutting themselves.
The saint was said to give them powers that rendered
them superior to pain and dancers who were thoroughly
worked up had in the past tried to get to a well and
throw themselves in it. The police allowed jambia
dancing as it would be very unpopular to ban it, but
made sure that wells were suitably secured.
Roulette Wheel &
Prizes at Sheikh Othman Fair 1966 |
