Cairo,
March 21: Belly dance is an Egyptian ritual, said to bring fertility
and eroticism. In many middle-eastern countries the belly dance is an
indispensable feature in weddings. It creates the right mood for the
bride and the groom and brings invokes the Gods to bless them to have
fertility. We often wonder at the agility of the dancers. This is the
reason why the dance made its way to the western countries, where
youngsters are learning it as an aerobic art for conditioning the body.
True
historical data on belly dance is fragmentary there is relatively
little documentation on women's work and activities throughout the age
of literacy. Current theories on the history of belly dance are a
confusing mixture of speculative extrapolation and personal bias which
is then often presented as historical fact. There is much room for more
stringent research in this area.
Despite the lack of
accurate historical information, a few points can be agreed upon. Belly
dancing as it is known today is very old. It retains its connection to
fertility and eroticism by being an indispensable feature at weddings in
many Middle Eastern countries, performing the multifold purpose of
getting the bride and groom (who may have just met) in the mood, making a
blessing of fertility on the couple, and providing entertainment for
the guests. Today belly dance is enjoyed variously for its artistry,
ethnicity, beauty, healthy eroticism and fun!
The movement
vocabulary of belly dance is a conglomeration of styles from many
regions-Lebanon, North Africa, Egypt, the Arabian Gulf, Turkey as a
result of cultural exchange historically through trade and shifting
national boundaries. While Middle Easterners make the distinction
between "city dance" (stage, cabaret) and "country dance" (regional folk
dances), Westerners use the umbrella term of "belly dance" to refer to a
broad range of styles united in the use of certain isolation movements,
the most prominent and pervasive of which are the isolations of the
hips. In addition, isolations of the chest, shoulders, head, hands as
well as serpentine and undulating movements of the torso are often
found. Another common trademark is a varying degree of flirtation and
coquetry. The rhythms and instrumentation used from area to area often
have some commonalties despite great regional variations but in all
there is an emphasis on percussion.
Because it takes much
education for Westerners to be able to recognize and appreciate these
regional distinctions in style and practice, we have seen in places such
as the North American West Coast, where access to Middle Eastern
audiences is limited, the growth of a creative phenomenon which is now
called by its proponents, American Tribal style. This version of
bellydance combines costuming and movement ideas from many Middle
Eastern cultures with trademark innovations that make it more accessible
to Western audiences and adaptable to Western venues.
Belly
dance is known in the Middle East as raks sharqi, literally, :dance of
the East" or "oriental dance". The current western term may be derived
from the French dance du ventre, so named because of the exposure of the
midriff. Raks sharqi, the contemporary stage form derived from Egyptian
baladi and influenced by early Hollywood glamour and western balletic
training, is distinct from raks sha'abi or folk dances, which may
nevertheless be featured in glitzed up yet authentic versions as part of
an oriental stage show.
Today belly dance is enjoyed
worldwide and is taught in almost every country. While a small
percentage of enthusiasts use belly dance as an income supplement, and
smaller percentage derive their sole income from performance and/or
teaching, the majority of enthusiasts pursue it for mere enjoyment as
exercise, recreation and socialization. Many perform regularly as
amateurs or semi-professionals: belly dance communities worldwide are
notable for their energy and enthusiasm in putting on collaborative
performances, workshops and other events.
It is ironic
that while traditionally Middle Eastern women have been discouraged from
or censured for pursuing a career as a belly dancer, many Western woman
embrace it as a means of rediscovering themselves and nurturing a
stronger personal identity and sense of empowerment.
Why Belly dance?
Aside
from the joy inherent in learning a beautiful dance art, enthusiasts
report a wide variety of benefits gained from the practice of Middle
Eastern dance:
Satisfaction from achieving new levels of
physical mastery, A feeling of camaraderie, community, making new
friends, Strengthening, reshaping and renewed acceptance of one's body,
Greater freedom and range of self expression, Relief from back pain,
Familiarity with different musical styles and cultures, Spending time
for yourself, Bringing joy to others, Girl time, Fun Fun Fun!
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