Seed

Majdal Dabkeh Troupe Dabkeh, Dance Film (In-progress), Cultural Heritage, Food Sovereignty

Seed is an in-progress dance film developed by Majdal, a Dabkeh troupe of 25 members. Drawing on themes of food sovereignty and agricultural heritage, the project reflects on the generational shifts in our relationship to farming, self-sufficiency, and food systems.

The work was envisioned as a two-part video performance. The first part, set in the past, pays homage to the ways previous generations sustained themselves through local farming and the use of natural resources. The second part, set in the present, examines the disconnection from agriculture, the reliance on food imports, and the challenges facing local production today.

Majdal members rehearsed intensively for over a month, preparing choreographies that blend traditional Dabkeh with new narrative forms. However, due to the 2020 national lockdown, studio closures, travel restrictions, and severe weather, the full production could not be completed as planned.

Instead, a short in-progress video was produced. It features segments of the choreography and interviews with troupe members, offering insight into the creative process and the personal stories behind the project. Seed remains a living work with hopes of future realization once conditions allow.