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Margalit (also spelled Margolit) Oved was raised in Amed, Yemen. While she was in the Israeli army, Margalit was reclassified as an "outstanding dancer." When she got out of the army, Margalit became a star of the famed Inbal troup. It was Gurit Kadman who, in the 1970s, convinced Margalit to join "The Project for Preserving and Nurturing of the Ethnic Dances," which had originally been formed in the 1950s to enhance the unveiling of the rich folkloric roots of the various ethnic groups in Israel and strengthening their impact on the formation of Israeli folk dances.
In 1968, Margalit appeared in the film by Allegha Fuller titled Gestures of Sand. The film explores the patterns of music, movement, ritual, and myth which were integrally a part of the life of the Jews of Aden, Yemen, expressed through Margalit's unique artistry.
Margalit married an American, moved to the United States, and settled in Los Angeles, California, where she had a son, Barak Marshall. In 1984, while in California, Margalit taught dance in the dance department at the University of California at Los Angles (UCLA). She also taught Yemenite dance one year at Holiday Camp, a folk dance conference directed by Diki Shields and Dick Oakes at the Pilgrim Pines retreat in the San Bernardino Mountains.
In 1994, Margalit, with her son, Barak, went back to Israel and Margalit returned to Inbal. It was hoped that with Margalit as it's director, Inbal would take on a new lease of life but it did not work out that way. So, Margalit and Barak set out on series of tours throughout Israel and abroad. Inbal was renamed the Inbal Ethnic Dance Centre.
Margalit, in addition to being a superb dancer, performer, and choreographer, is a wonderful actress, singer, and percussionist. Barak became one of the most exciting Yemenite choreographers in his own right, doing the choreography for "Aunt Lean" and "Emma Goldman's Wedding" (which won Marshall the prestigious Bagnolet Competition award in 1997) in which Margalit was featured. One reviewer said, "Barak Marshall's choreography is the result of an important working relationship with his mother, Margalit Oved, whose presence on stage is overwhelming. 'Margalit has the emotional power of a giant', was the New York Times' opinion. Barak Marshall is certain to be hailed as one of the discoveries of the 90s." These shows, along with another Barak choreography, "Shoshana's Balcony" (created in 1999) continue to be presented at venues all over Europe to wide acclaim with Margalit in the lead vocal.
Dances Margalit taught include
Ahavat Hadassah,
Debka Kalla,
Debka Yeshaya-Margalit,
Debka Ya Bint Eshech,
Hareshut Be'emet Netuna,
Hineh Achalela,
Im Hashachar,
Sapari (The Young),
Sapari (The Old),
Sar Hamemuneh,
Shepherd's Dance,
Yabint Ishech,
Yadayim Medabrot,
Yesh Li Ima,
and
Waal Azab Gaal.
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