Rihab Nubi: The creative pulse of movement

Community fundamentally laid the foundation for Sudanese dancer Rihab Nubi’s lifelong passion for performance. Born and raised in Sharjah, Nubi recalls how every Friday after prayer, her family would gather at her grandmother’s house. It was there, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, that she first – at least hypothetically – took “centre stage,” rallying her relatives into a circle to watch her impromptu musicals and dance performances. 

“Performing is something that has always existed within me,” she says. “I love the feeling of transforming the intangible into something tangible.” Dance, she suggests, is about giving shape to invisible emotions, making them real through movement. 

Across the SWANA region, dance has long served as a vessel for hope and resistance. The “tangible” Nubi speaks of is more than just choreography or coordinated routines. It is a visible expression of humanity, a symbol of life, hope, and resilience that endures across time. Whether in everyday moments or in the face of conflict and occupation, from Sudan to Palestine, dance remains a beautiful revolution of mind and soul – a historic act of collective memory, one that has been cherished, embodied, and carried forward across generations. 

Nubi recognised this truth from a young age, and although life pulled her away from dance for a while, the rhythm within her never truly faded. At 28, amid what could only be described as a quarter-life crisis, she enrolled in ballet classes, proving that it is never too late to return to what moves you. “I began with ballet and then discovered my love for contemporary dance,” she reflects. Now based in Dubai, Nubi has nurtured this passion for the past three years, supported by a strong community of dancers and creatives with whom she frequently practices and performs. 

“There is something profoundly healing about dancing in a group,” she explains. Through classes and community centres across the UAE, including Dubai’s Sima Performing Arts, she has discovered a rich and eclectic network of dancers embracing a wide range of soundscapes and styles. This diversity mirrors the dynamic spirit of the SWANA community itself, rich with opportunities for movement and creative expression. “I have come to realise,” she says, “that dance is deeply ingrained within our culture.”

In her continued exploration of contemporary dance, Nubi emerges as a symbol of the SWANA region’s creative pulse – thoughtful, resilient, and constantly evolving. Every bend of her body and emotionally-charged gesture tells the story of diaspora or those still at home, using movement as language when words fall short. There is a raw emotional truth to her performance, a quiet intensity that speaks volumes. As Nubi has always known, the stage is not just a platform; it is where she belongs.

Rihab wears a look from Valentino Le Méta-Théâtre Des Intimités throughout the feature, including the new Valentino Garavani and Vans collaboration sneakers.