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Belly Dancing
Belly dance is a Western name coined for a style
of dance developed in the Middle East and other Arabic-influenced
areas. In the Arabic language it is known as Raqs Sharqi and
in Turkish as Oryantal dansı, which is translated as "Dance
of the East". For Europeans, this translation sounded like
a perfect fit, hence it was also known as "Oriental dance", "danse
Oriental", "Exotic oriental dance", "Oriental
belly dance" and the like. The term "Raqs Sharqi" is
claimed to be originated in Egypt. The name suggested an exotic
dance originated elsewhere - and so it had a higher status than
the local dance.
It is thought that the dance has been known through
the oral tradition in Egypt since the pre-Islamic times. There
have been many theories about the origin of belly dancing, but
most evidence links it to the Mediterranean, Middle East and
Africa. Egyptian tomb paintings dating from as far back as the
fourteenth century BC depict partially clad dancers whose callisthenic
positions appear to be very similar to those used in belly dancing.
It has a long history with depictions in Persians miniature paintings
from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is known to have been popularized
during the Romanticism movement in the 18th and 19th century
as artists depicted their interpretation of harem life of the
Ottoman Empire.
During the course of history many of the dances
we associate with belly dance today were performed as separate
dances; men for men, women for women. There are few depictions
of co-ed dances. For many years this made it so that a "good" woman
would not be seen dancing by any but her husband, her close family
or the women she was with at a get together. This extended to
separating the musicians so that only female musicians could
perform for female dancers.
With its initial immergence at the 1876 Philadelphia
Centennial, the last four decades of the 20th century moved belly
dance in the USA more mainstream. With the movement of exploration
in the East in the late 1960's many people became interested
in everything eastern, including dance. Many touring middle eastern
or eastern bands took dancers with them as they toured for a
visual representation of their music. This created interest by
the attendees who often said to themselves, "That looks
so easy. I bet I could do that." Many took lessons from
teachers where and when they were available. This had the great
effect of creating many beautiful dancers who have continued
to move belly dance forward. At the same time it ended up creating
diverse names for the same simple movement and the need to have
a 'style' as each teacher tried to distinguish differences in
their way of teaching from other teachers. This has hampered
belly dance from acceptance by the more established dance forms
because there is no nationally recognized choreography terms
that can be used to create repeatable dances.
Contemporary (1985-present) outstanding dancers
include but are not limited to: Suhaila Salimpour, Ansuya, Bellyqueen,
the Bellydance Superstars, Alexandra King, Delilah, Saqra, Cassandra,
Dalia Carella, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Morocco, Aisha Ali, Rachel
Brice, Latifa and Helena Vlahos (who popularized rolling quarters
on her stomach on television in the 1970's).
There is a recent movement in the U.S.A. entitled "Tribal" or "American
Tribal", an example of which is portrayed on this site.
A fusion of ancient dance techniques from North India, the Middle
East and Africa, tribal is characterized largely by a blending
of group choreography and solo dances that give the impression
of improvisation with a building of rhythms. Dancers often use
finger cymbals, have solos within the group, call-and-answer
performance with another dancer (duos), or as a whole group.
It is also characterized by costumes derived from many "authentic" sources
and is often composed of large tiered skirts or 10 meter/yard
skirts, a short choli often with a plunging neckline, a visible
bra decorated with coins and textiles, turbaned head, hip scarf
with yarn tassles or fringe, and a heavy layering of oxidized
silver jewelry. The jewelry commonly originates from Central
Asia, from any number of nomadic tribes or empires (e.g. Kuchi,
Turkoman, Rajasthan) and is often large and set with semi-precious
stones or, when mass-produced, with glass. Dancers frequently "tattoo" their
faces with kohl or kajal. Make-up is usually eye focused with
heavy kajal. For prime examples of techniques and costuming of
American Tribal Style (ATS), look to FatChanceBellyDance.
'Cabaret' or 'stage' styles have flourished in
the US throughout the 20th century due to its flashy and exotic
overtones. Often associated with Raqs Sharqi, the mainstays of
costume for this style includes a fitted top or bra (usually
with fringe of beads or coins), a fitted hip girdle (again with
a fringe of beads or coins), and leg coverings that include harem
pants or skirts (straight, layered, circular, or paneled). In
the US it also includes a 'veil': a 3.5 to 4 yard piece of fabric
that is used in part of the dance to move about and frame movements
for the dancer. In the 1940s King Farouk of Egypt brought Russian
ballet instructor Ivanova to teach his daughters, and it was
she who first taught the great dancer Samia Gamal to use the
veil to improve her arm carriage. Most Egyptian dancers use the
veil as an opening prop which they discard within the first few
minutes of their routines, while Western dancers will use the
veil for an entire song. Recently added costuming options include
full beaded dresses, called baladi dresses.
ATRIUM DANCE STUDIO
4721 N. Crescent Boulevard
Pennsauken, NJ 08110
856-661-9166
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856-661-9166