Enana

dance academy

enanaballetcanada

Queen Dayfaa Khatun

In this dance drama Enana Dance Theater highlights the role of women in the creation of Arab civilization through their administrative, scientific and social skills, in addition to their roles as wives and mothers. The play begins in the early 1200’s at the Aleppo Citadel (which is both the place of the story and witness to it) where King Adel’s daughter is born, filling his heart with joy. He names her Daifah Khatoun. The King’s happiness, however, is cut short, filling his heart with grief when he must part from Aleppo in obedience to the decree of Sultan Saladin exiling him to Egypt, who then appoints his son, Zahir Ghazi, king of Aleppo. The days pass and Daifah Khatoun grows up in Egypt. She shines like a star for her scientific knowledge coupled with outstanding beauty.

Consequently King Zahir Ghazi decides to ask her to marry him and sends a convoy laden with gifts to his uncle, Al Adel, King in Egypt, as a petition to him for his daughter’s hand. This marriage reunites the Ayubid empire, ending the rivalry between King Adel and King Zahir Ghazi. Aleppo flourishes through the return of her daughter, Khatoun, and King Zahir Ghazi’s reign is marked by justice and security. He works tirelessly for the development of Aleppo, encouraging science, supporting scholars and heads of wisdom, and enlightened leaders of the Sufi like Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, holding conventions for trade with Europe, all the while taking Daifah Khatoun into his confidence and seeking her opinion at every step. Khatoun’s heart is broken at the untimely death of her husband King Ghazi, who breathes his last breath while commissioning her to preserve Aleppo and act as vice regent until their son comes of age. Prosperity prevails in Aleppo in Khatoun’s reign, who works to reduce taxes, build schools, promote science, stimulate trade and industry, and fortify the city, which is plunged into many battles against enemies.