The women are well rehearsed; everyone in the group is in sync with the foreign music coming from the boom box in the corner. The sound of jingling bells from their wraps and the tapping of feet match that of music.

The Near East Multicultural Association, or NEMA, is a group of women who study and practice various folk dances from the Near East, Mediterranean and North Africa, mostly pertaining to belly dancing. These groups of ladies found a passion for the dance as they go over their routines with grace.

According to NEMA Advisor Jan Straka, the club has been at Oxnard College for about three years.

“It has had a positive effect on our group,” said Straka.

NEMA has turned into a support sanctuary for the women. Each has a different background, a different story, but the love of dance brings them together.

“It almost turns out to be a woman’s group. We’re all real supportive of each other. We’re not real critical of each other,” said Elisa Sanchez, NEMA president. “We just like to dance and keep ourselves emotionally healthy.”

Others are there to overcome difficulties.

“I’m really shy and I kind of close in. Belly dancing I feel more sexy and confident and I go out a meet people,” said 19-year-old nursing major Crystal Garcia. “When people see us dancing they’re like ‘wow.’ You feel sexy, you know you have curves and you’re just showing them.”

Through all of the movement and self-love the women in the club gain, they also learn about the people and the cultures their favorite dances come from.

NEMA recently had an impromptu Egyptian belly dance workshop with journalist and American belly dancer Shareen el Safy after she spoke at the Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series.

New members are always welcome to come and join the group.

“Girls feel really good about joining our club. We’re just here to make each other feel welcome,” said Sanchez. “We love everyone. We’re like hippies.”
 

Elisa Sanchez, a 27-year-old sociology major, Colleen Wilson and 19-year-old nursing major Crystal Garcia dance their cares away. (Photo by Hannah Davey)