Born: 1915 (Ismaïlia, Egypt)
Biography:
Taheyya Kariokka (Arabic: طهية كاريوكا), also known as Tahiya Carioca, was an Egyptian belly dancer and film actress. Born as Badaweya Mohamed Kareem Ali Elnedany on February 22, 1915, in the Egyptian city of Ismaïlia, she rose to become one of the most iconic and influential performers of her time.
Badaweya’s early life was marked by tragedy and hardship. Her father, Mohamed Ali Elnedany, was a boat merchant who had married multiple times. It is believed that Badawiya’s mother, Fatma Elzharaa, was in her early twenties when she married her father, who was around 60 years old at the time. Sadly, Badaweya’s father passed away when she was just a young child, leaving her to face a difficult future.
After her father’s death, Badaweya was sent to live with her half-brother, Ahmed Ali Elnedany. However, her time with him was fraught with mistreatment and abuse. She was treated as a slave and subjected to physical and emotional torment. Even attempts to escape were met with more punishment, including having her hair shaved off.
Despite her challenging upbringing, Badaweya’s life took a turn when she found refuge in Cairo. With the help of her nephew, Osman Elnedany, she sought shelter with Souad Mahasen, a renowned night club owner and artist. Badaweya repeatedly requested employment at Suad’s nightclub, but Suad initially refused due to the disreputable nature of such work. However, as Badaweya started to befriend Suad’s acquaintances, many of them urged Suad to include her in one of the shows as a chorus girl. Eventually, Suad relented, and Badaweya was offered a position in the troupe owned by Badia Masabni, the owner of Casino Opera, one of Cairo’s most prestigious nightclubs at that time.
Accepting the offer, Badaweya adopted the stage name Tahiya Mohamed. As she gained experience and became a solo dancer, she honed her skills and even learned the popular Samba dance from Brazil called the Carioca. This led to her being known as Tahiya Carioca, a name that would go on to become synonymous with her talent and success.
Tahiya’s career flourished during what is considered the Golden Age of the Egyptian film industry. She made her mark as a versatile performer and starred in notable films such as The Leech, Love and Adoration, and Mother of the Bride. Her talent extended beyond dancing, as she also showcased her skills as a singer and actress.
In addition to her film career, Tahiya Kariokka also worked on stage in several plays. One of her most notable performances was in the 1967 black comedy Rubabikia. She continued to captivate audiences with her performances, and in 1969, she appeared in the box-office hit Good Morning, My Dear Wife, which became the highest-grossing film of the year. Three years later, in 1972, she starred in Watch Out for ZouZou, another blockbuster that became the biggest box-office hit in Egyptian cinema at the time.[10]
Despite her professional success, Tahiya’s personal life was marked by numerous marriages. She married a total of 14 times, some of them to high-profile artistic figures such as actor Rushdy Abaza. Her personal life often intersected with her professional life, as her relationships and marriages garnered significant media attention.
Tahiya Kariokka left an indelible mark on Egyptian culture, film, and the art of belly dancing. Her skill, charisma, and determination paved the way for future generations of performers. She will always be remembered as a trailblazer and an icon in women’s history.