Along with tango and Bollywood, belly dancing is one genre that has snared a lot of dance newcomers.

In the West, belly dancing has long been viewed as a highly sensual and erotic form of dance. As with many types of dance, the popular American view of belly dancing stems from the fact that we don’t fully understand its roots.

But today, many dancers are investigating the beginnings of belly dancing. And in an attempt to revive this art in a more original form, they teach modern audiences about the rich history in belly dance.

Dance of the East

The term “Belly dancing” arose after the French called the art “dance du ventre,” or “dance of the stomach.” But throughout history, this art has gone by several names. The Greek called it “cifte telli.” In Turkey, it was known as “rakkase.” Egyptians called it “Raks Sharqui,” or “Dance of the East.” Other Middle Easterners called it “danse orientale,” which identifies belly dancing as a type of art that came from outside their own culture. ¹

Belly dancing is one of the oldest forms of dance in recorded history. Artifacts show that belly dancing began its 6000-year (or longer) history in Mesopotamia, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area roughly corresponds to modern-day Iraq. Historians can find early evidence of belly dancing in art from Egyptian, Turkish, and Phoenician cultures, which flourished in this area. ²

Celebration of Life

Contrary to popular Western interpretations, belly dancing wasn’t designed as a tool for seducing men. In fact, in its original form, men would not have watched belly dancing.

Early belly dance routines focused on one of the greatest concerns in ancient society: fertility. ³ Many cultures worshiped matriarchal deities, and the people gave offerings to goddesses in the hope that their families, their herds, and their crops would all experience fertility and growth.

This appreciation for fertility and life led ancient people to celebrate a woman’s ability to bear children, and one way they celebrated was through dance. The characteristic hip movements and abdominal contractions in belly dancing, according to many historians, were artistic representations of the process of labor and delivery.

Originally, these dances were performed only among women. The performances celebrated childbirth and fertility, and they honored the deities who the people held responsible for these important elements of life. Often, a girl marked her passage into womanhood by performing these dances for the first time. ^{4 5}

Belly Dance Moves West

Belly dancing moved West with Gypsy tribes, who often danced in the streets and in theaters to earn money. It was at this point that belly dancing became a performing art.

As belly dancing traveled, it evolved. And as with any form of folk dance, new artists changed it, adding

elements of their own cultures. There’s argument among dance historians about the extent to which belly dancing Gypsies also influenced other dance styles, such as flamenco.

Little Egypt and Americanization

Americans got their first look at belly dancing when an artist called “Little Egypt” performed at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

After Little Egypt’s arrival, Americans ran with their interpretation of belly dancing. They imagined belly dancers as seductive, exotic women of fantasy, a role that easily fit belly dancers into early American epic movies. The Americanization of belly dancing included the addition of scarves and veils, which weren’t part of many traditional forms of belly dancing. ⁶

A Return to Belly Dancing’s Beginnings

Many belly dancers today talk about how important it is to return to the historical origins of belly dancing, feeling that the Americanization of belly dancing has taken away from its original depth and meaning.

To see how a modern company practices bellydancing, visit the website of Nazeem Allayl Belly Dance Studio. This website includes information on belly dancing styles from throughout the ancient and modern world, and it discusses the costumes used in each style. Photos of performances by the company help illustrate much of the information.

Image Sources:

• Habib (Photo by Darrin Nupuf - Proimages)
• Vintage painting from Joy of Bellydancing
• 6th Awards of Belly Dance (IAMED)

Related Posts

• Definition (or Definitions) of Contemporary Ballet
• Bollywood Dance and Beyond
• Defeat Depression and Discover Happiness Through Dance
• Hip-Hop Dance History