La belle Zhora - dancer of the Ouled Naîl

Zhora must have been one of the stars of the naylates. With her special headdress and outstanding jewelery . This bellydancer wears spiked bracelets to defend.  herself. She belongs to an ancient North African culture with independent woman.

Remarkable is that she keeps - like so many other dancers - an unlit cigarette in her hands.  

The question arises if this wasn't simply a publicity trick to promote cigarettes as was frequently done at that time. One brand of cigarettes used the name of a North African animal so there is certainly a link between the cigarette industry.

This postcard has a text-poem included which says:"Toute parée et guillerette. Avec l'air d'être en Paradis. Comme les femmes de Paris, Zhora fume la cigarette"

or in English: "All dressed up and perky. With the air of being in Paradise. Like the women of Paris, Zhora smokes the cigarette."

A text that explains even more...