Birth name was Farida Mazar Spyropoulos
Performed on the Midway at the World Columbian Exhibition in Chicago (1893)
Popularized the belly dance

She performed at the 'Streets in Cairo' exhibit in a show titled 'The Algerian Dancers of Morocco,' but was neither Egyptian, Algerian nor Moroccan. (She was Syrian.)
She inspired a horde of imitators, who made the name 'LIttle Egypt' synonymous with 'exotic dancer.'
She particularly disliked being confused with Ashea Wabe, a 'Little Egypt' who danced at a scandalous bachelor party that was raided by the New York vice squad (1896).

An attempt by moralist Anthony Comstock to shut down the 'Streets in Cairo' made her even more popular.
The New York Herald-Tribune wrote, 'She drew more attention than the seventy-ton telescope or the six-block-long Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building.'
She danced in her 60s at the Century of Progress fair in Chicago (1933).
She inspired the Coasters last hit 'Little Egypt (Ying-Yang).'

Credit: C. Fishel

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For 2009, as of last week, Out of 22 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 24 Votes: 33.33% Annoying

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