Belly Dance
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Definition of Belly DanceThe belly dance is sometimes referred to as the "Middle Eastern Dance.", Balady or Raks Balady (also spelled Baladi or Beladi) "dance from the country." The basic rhythm of the dance is often referred to by its Arabic term, balady (or maksoom). Some say that the name “belly dance” was coined when Westerners heard the word “balady” and mistook it for “belly” as they witnessed the dance's emphasis on belly and torso movements. Egyptian Raks Al-Sharqi This Egyptian term means Dance of the Easterner — one preferred by some American belly dancers. Danse du Ventre This is the French phrase for bellydance meaning dance of the solar plexus or vent (ventre referring to the belly area), where all the nerve endings come together in the diaphragm. When the dance was presented at the Chicago World's fair in 1893, the world was deep into a period of art history known as the Orientalist era. Traveling European painters and writers brought home fascinating descriptions and illustrations of the Orient, mesmerizing the west with human curiosity. Danse Du Ventre — or dance of the belly — was the name given to this dance, witnessed in a predominately Muslim world. pause. Dance Oriental or Oryantal Dansi This term often was used in Greek night clubs. The name arose from the traditional Turkish term Oryantal, which referred to the area now known as the Middle East, but once commonly called the orient. To the western ear this sounds a bit confusing because the orient is thought of as being Asia. Recall that in past ages these geographical boundaries and associations were drawn very differently from where they are now. For instance, more Roman ruins can be found in North Africa than in present day Rome. Belly Dance Fun Learning Curve
The MovesThe Belly Dance is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso, and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions. Characteristic movements in the dance include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, locks, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps. Arms and hands move fluidly, like serpents or ribbons in the air. Unusual strength and control is demonstrated in the belly area. The basic footwork pattern is the characteristic movements in the dance include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, locks, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps. The basic step is easy. Arms and hands move fluidly, like serpents or ribbons in the air. Unusual strength and control is demonstrated in the belly area.
The Music
The
Turkish bellydance music is
characterized by the sounds of the oboe, clarinet, oud, ney, kanoon, finger
cymbals and hand drums.
HistoryShake Dance and Shimmy Dance This is an old term sometimes used in America for dance that exhibits gyrating and shaking movements of hips and shoulders. The term was popularized after the 1893 Chicago’s world fair along with the legend of Little Egypt. The term was used for dances done in carnivals or strip clubs, often by women wearing pasties and lingerie. The Shimmy was a dance movement used by Haitian and the African-American community of the 1880s or earlier (and later recreated by Gilda Gray). The shimmy and it’s energetic and vibrating derivatives are a vital part of belly dance; such movements were not likely to die away in a culture embracing freedom and energy. It even influenced Elvis Presley! Bauch Tanz (Belly dance in Germany) Belly dance in Germany experienced a surge in the 1970s via a German male belly dancer and instructor named Bert Baladine who was living in America at the time. American military housewives became interested in the dance. When they were later stationed in Germany, they called upon Bert to teach belly dance workshops. Interest developed quickly and the revival engendered a growing sophistication and an acceptance of the dance as both exercise and art form.
A fertile climate for the
dance had been established through earlier decades by the popularity of Richard
Strauss’s opera “Salome” written in 1903 (based on Oscar Wilde’s play of 1892)
and the early modern dance movement that rose shortly after. Europeans have had
a tradition of supporting innovative and exotic dance artists like Isadora
Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Loie Fuller, Maude Allen, and Mata Hari. Ripe with
inspiration, German women began following the lead of their American
counterparts to develop the art in as many sub-styles as America: Fantasy, el
Raks Sharki, Modern Egyptian, American Classic, Turkish. . . Again interest in
the dance spread to Austria, Holland, Britain, Sweden, Finland, Iceland,Spain,
Italy. . . Unlike the common American belly dance venues of ethnic restaurants
and hotel banquet stages, the Germans more often choose to present the dance in
traditional theaters. Making things easier for them, a close knit network of
venues for performing artists was well established. These women also set up
performance venues inside the dance studio itself. Taking the dance art very
seriously, the German women employ first-class business practices in response to
the growing popularity of belly dance. They developed beautiful,
commercial-quality trade magazines, schools, concerts, cabarets, and touring
networks for teachers and performers. Many accomplished American belly dancers
have toured in Germany.born in the Dominican Republic, borrowing from the Cuban
Bolero.
Tips & InfoHere are some "universal tips" for learning how to dance a theme dance such as belly dancing.
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