Belly Dancing S
Randa Kamel, Egyptian belly dancerBelly dance is primarily a torso-driven dance, with an emphasis on articulations of the hips. Unlike many Western forms, the focus of the dance is on isolations of the muscles, rather than on movements of the limbs through space. Although some of these isolations appear similar to the isolations used in jazz ballet, they are sometimes driven differently and have a different feeling or emphasis.In common with most folk dances, there is no universal naming scheme for belly dance movements.
Some dancers and dance schools have developed their own naming schemes, but none of these is universally recognized. One of the most common naming schemes is that of the Salimpour Format, introduced by Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour. Jamila Salimpour was the first to coin many now-popular names of belly dance moves, including steps such as the Basic Egyptian, Choo Choo, Maya, and Turkish Drop. But these commonly-held terms are the exception, rather than the rule, in the belly dance world.Movements found in belly dance Many of the movements characteristic of belly dance can be grouped into the following categories:. Percussive movements: Staccato movements, most commonly of the hips, used to punctuate the music or accent a beat. Typical movements in this group include hip drops, vertical hip rocks, outwards hip hits, hip lifts and hip twists. Percussive movements using other parts of the body can include lifts or drops of the ribcage and shoulder accents.
Fluid movements: Flowing, sinuous movements in which the body is in continuous motion, used to interpret melodic lines and lyrical sections in the music, or modulated to express complex instrumental improvisations. These movements require a great deal of abdominal muscle control.
Typical movements include horizontal and vertical figures of 8 or infinity loops with the hips, horizontal or tilting hip circles, and undulations of the hips and abdomen. These basic shapes may be varied, combined and embellished to create an infinite variety of complex, textured movements. Shimmies, shivers and vibrations: Small, fast, continuous movements of the hips or ribcage, which create an impression of texture and depth of movement.
Shimmies are commonly layered over other movements, and are often used to interpret rolls on the or or fast strumming of the. There are many types of shimmy, varying in size and method of generation. Some common shimmies include relaxed, up and down hip shimmies, straight-legged knee-driven shimmies, fast, tiny hip vibrations, twisting hip shimmies, bouncing 'earthquake' shimmies, and relaxed shoulder or ribcage shimmies.In addition to these torso movements, dancers in many styles will use level changes, travelling steps, turns and spins. The arms are used to frame and accentuate movements of the hips, for dramatic gestures, and to create beautiful lines and shapes with the body, particularly in the more balletic, Westernised styles.
Other movements may be used as occasional accents, such as low kicks and arabesques, backbends, and head tosses.In the Middle East Origins and history. Mural painting of a meeting between Shah Tahmasp and the Mughal emperor Humayun found in IranBelly dancing is believed to have had a long history in the, but reliable evidence about its origins is scarce, and accounts of its history are often highly speculative. Several Greek and Roman sources including and describe dancers from Asia Minor and Spain using undulating movements, playing, and sinking to the floor with 'quivering thighs', descriptions that are certainly suggestive of the movements that are today associated with belly dance. Later, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, European travellers in the Middle East such as and wrote extensively of the dancers they saw there, including the and of Egypt.In the belly dance was performed by both boys and women in the Sultan's palace. Social context. Carmen Fragoso is among the new generation of dancers known for their.Belly dance in the Middle East has two distinct social contexts: as a folk or social dance, and as a performance art.As a social dance, belly dance (also called or Raqs Shaabi in this context) is performed at celebrations and social gatherings by ordinary people (male and female, young and old), in their ordinary clothes.
In more conservative or traditional societies, these events may be gender segregated, with separate parties where men and women dance separately.Historically, professional dance performers were the (primarily musicians and poets),. The Maazin sisters may have been the last authentic performers of Ghawazi dance in Egypt, with Khayreyya Maazin still teaching and performing as of 2009.In the modern era, professional performers (including dancers, singers, and actors) are not considered to be respectable in more conservative Middle Eastern countries, and there is a strong social stigma attached to female performers in particular, since they display their bodies in public, which is considered in. However, in Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco, Iraq and unofficially in Iran and Egypt the art is still celebrated and performed. In Egypt. This section needs additional citations for.
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: – ( October 2017) Belly dance was popularized in the West during the movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, when artists depicted romanticized images of life in the.In North America Although there were dancers of this type at the 1876 Centennial in Philadelphia, it was not until the 1893 Chicago that it gained national attention. The term 'belly dancing' is often credited to, the Fair's entertainment director, but he referred to the dance as danse du ventre, the name used by the French in Algeria.
In his memoirs, Bloom states, 'when the public learned that the literal translation was 'belly dance', they delightedly concluded that it must be salacious and immoral. I had a gold mine.'
Authentic dancers from several Middle Eastern and North African countries performed at the Fair, including Syria, Turkey and Algeria—but it was the dancers in the Egyptian Theater of The Street in the Cairo exhibit who gained the most notoriety. The fact that the dancers were uncorseted and gyrated their hips was shocking to Victorian sensibilities. There were no soloists, but it is claimed that a dancer nicknamed stole the show. Some claim the dancer was, but this fact is disputed.The popularity of these dancers subsequently spawned dozens of imitators, many of whom claimed to be from the original troupe. Victorian society continued to be affronted by the dance, and dancers were sometimes arrested and fined.
The dance was nicknamed the ', or the shimmy and shake. A short film, 'Fatima's Dance', was widely distributed in the theaters. It drew criticism for its 'immodest' dancing, and was eventually censored. Belly dance drew men in droves to burlesque theaters, and to carnival and circus lots.made several of dancers in the 1890s. These included a Turkish dance, and Crissie Sheridan in 1897, and Princess Rajah from 1904, which features a dancer playing, doing 'floor work', and balancing a chair in her teeth.
American tribal fusion dancer Rachel Bricealso used Middle Eastern-inspired dance in D. Griffith's silent film, her goal being to lift dance to a respectable art form at a time when dancers were considered to be women of loose morals. Hollywood began producing films such as, and, to capitalize on Western fantasies of the orient.When immigrants from Arab states began to arrive in New York in the 1930s, dancers started to perform in nightclubs and restaurants. In the late 1960s and early '70s many dancers began teaching.
Middle Eastern or Eastern bands took dancers with them on tour, which helped spark interest in the dance.Although using Turkish and Egyptian movements and music, American Cabaret ('AmCab') belly dancing has developed its own distinctive style, using props and encouraging audience interaction.In 1987, a distinctively American style of group improvisational dance, (ATS), was created. Although a unique and wholly modern style, its steps are based on existing dance techniques, including those from, the Middle East,.
Many forms of belly dance have also developed, incorporating elements from many other dance and music styles including, ballet, and even. Is a style which incorporates elements from.In Spain. Spaniard, 1957Belly dancers are thought to have come to Spain from Lebanon in the time of the (11th Century BC to 5th Century BC).
When Arab family of the came to Spain, they sent Basque singers and dancers to Damascus and Egypt for training in the Middle Eastern style. These dancers came to be known as Al-Andalus dancers. It is theorised that the fusion of the Al-Andalus style with the dances of the led to the creation of.In Australia The first wave of interest in belly dancing in Australia was during the late 1970s to 1980s with the influx of migrants and refugees escaping troubles in the Middle East, including drummer. These immigrants created a social scene including numerous Lebanese and Turkish restaurants, providing employment for belly dancers. Is widely regarded as the 'mother' of Australian belly dancetraining early dance pioneers such as.
Belly dance has now spread across the country, with belly dance communities in every capital city and many regional centres.In the United Kingdom Belly dance has been in evidence in the UK since the early 1960s. During the 1970s and 1980s, there was a thriving Arabic club scene in London, with live Arabic music and belly dancing a regular feature, but the last of these closed in the early 1990s. Several prominent members of the British belly dance community began their dance careers working in these clubs.Today, there are fewer traditional venues for Arabic dance in the UK; however, there is a large amateur belly dance community. Several international belly dance festivals are now held in Britain. In addition, there are a growing number of competitions, which have increased in popularity in recent years.The UK belly dance scene leans strongly towards the Egyptian/Arabic style, with little Turkish influence.
And belly dance are also popular.Costume. This section needs additional citations for. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: – ( August 2013) The costume most commonly associated with belly dance is the 'bedlah' (: بدلة; literally 'suit') style, which typically includes a fitted top or bra, a fitted hip belt, and a full-length skirt. The bra and belt may be richly decorated with beads, sequins, crystals, coins, beaded fringe and embroidery. The belt may be a separate piece, or sewn into a skirt., a Cairo owner during the early 20th century, is credited with creating the modern bedlah style.
It has been suggested that the bedlah was inspired by glamorous Hollywood costuming, or created to appeal to Western visitors. Earlier costumes were made up of a full skirt, light chemise and tight cropped vest with heavy embellishments and jewelry.As well as the two-piece bedlah costume, full length dresses are sometimes worn, especially when dancing more earthy styles. Dresses range from closely fitting, highly decorated gowns, which often feature heavy embellishments and mesh-covered cutouts, to simpler designs which are often based on traditional clothing.Costume in Egypt In Egypt dancers wear a bedlah. Alternatively, they may wear a dress with mesh-filled cutouts. Egypt has laws in place regarding what dancers can and cannot wear, and according to Act No. 430 of the law on the censorship of literary works, dancers must cover their lower bodies, including the breast and stomach area.
Typically a sheer, skin-colored mesh fabric covering the stomach is enough. Many dancers in Cairo ignore these rules, as they are rarely enforced and the consequences for performing with a bare belly may simply be a fine.
However, there have been multiple incidents of foreign belly dancers being arrested over their costumes.Costume in Lebanon As there is no prohibition on showing the abdomen in Lebanon, the bedlah style is more common. The skirts tend to be more sheer than Egyptian outfits, showing more of the dancer's body. The veil is more widely used than in Egypt. High heels are commonly worn. Lebanese dancers have more freedom than Egyptian style dancers in the type of costume they choose to wear.Costume in Turkey Turkish costumes are usually in the bedlah style.
Distinctive features of many Turkish costumes include a V-shaped or triangular belt which may be shaped or contoured around the top edge, and a great deal of embellishment and beaded fringing on both the bra and the belt. Skirts are often fuller than their Egyptian counterparts, and are likely to be made of chiffon or velvet rather than lycra.In the 1980s and '90s a very revealing costume style developed with skirts designed to display both legs up to the hip, and plunging bras or even pasties. Such styles still exist in some venues but there are also many Turkish belly dancers who wear more moderate costumes. Even so, many Turkish belly dance costumes reflect the playful, flirty style of Turkish belly dance.Tribal style costumes. Decorations on a tribal-style bellydance costume braTribal belly dance costumes draw inspiration from traditional folkloric costumes across the globe and include circle skirts, pantaloons, and turbans or headdresses decked with feathers or flowers. Health Belly dance is a non-impact, weight-bearing exercise and is thus suitable for all ages. Many of the moves involve isolations, which improves flexibility of the torso.
Belly dance moves are beneficial to the spine, as the full-body undulation moves lengthen (decompress) and strengthen the entire column of spinal and abdominal muscles in a gentle way.Dancing with a veil can help build strength in the upper body, arm and shoulders. Playing the trains fingers to work independently and builds strength. The legs and long muscles of the back are strengthened by hip movements. Notable practitioners Professional belly dancers include.In popular culture The titular character of the series of video games developed by is a belly dancing 'half-genie', who uses magical belly dances to transform into various animals.The Brazilian (also known as in and the United States) is set in Brazil and Morocco and featured belly dancing in many episodes.
The lead character, Jade , used it to entice her lover Lucas and to soothe and seduce her husband Said (Dalton Vigh).Several (including From Russia with Love) and have featured belly dancers. In, the belly dancer Saida wears a spent bullet in her navel, which Bond accidentally swallows while trying to retrieve it.Documentaries about belly dance include, Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo, Belly, Sensual. Sacred, and Bellydancers of Cairo.See also.References. Trier-Bieniek, Adrienne (2015). Windows presentation foundation development cookbook 100 recipes pdf. Feminist Theory and Pop Culture. P. 4.
Murray, Edmundo (2015). A Symphony of Flavors: Food and Music in Concert.
Cambridge Scholars Publishing. P. 34. Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2016). Rowman & Littlefield. editor, Justine J. Reel, PHD, LPC, CC-AASP (2013).
Eating disorders: an encyclopedia of causes, treatment, and prevention. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Greenwood.
Buonaventura, Wendy (2010). Serpent of the Nile: women and dance in the Arab world (Newly updated ed. ed.).
London: Saqi. Hammond, Andrew (2007).
Popular culture in the Arab world: arts, politics, and the media (1. Cairo, Egypt: American University in Cairo Press.
Fraser, Kathleen W. (31 October 2014). McFarland. ^ Deagon, Andrea. ^ Hawthorn, Ainsley (1 May 2019). Dance Research.
37 (1): 1–17. ^ Hawthorn, Ainsley (23 May 2019). Edinburgh University Press Blog. Varga Dinicu, Carolena (2011).
You Asked Aunt Rocky: Answers & Advice About Raqs Sharqi & Raqs Shaabi. Virginia Beach, VA, USA: RDI Publications, LLC. P. 218. Wise, Josephine (2012). The JWAAD Book of Bellydance. Croydon, UK: JWAAD Ltd.
Pp. 60–104. Buonaventura, Wendy (1989). Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World.
P. 13. Buonaventura, Wendy (1989). Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World. Azizasaid. Wise, Josephine (2012). The JWAAD Book of Bellydance.
P. 11. Al-Rawi, Rosina Fawzia (1999). Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing. Interlink Books. Pp. 20–22. van Nieuwkerk, Karin (1995). University of Texas Press.
BellydanceU.net. Arvizu, Shannon (2004). 'The Politics of Bellydancing in Cairo'. The Arab Studies Journal. 12/13 (2/1): 165. Brokaw, Sommer (29 November 2014).
Retrieved 20 November 2019. Belly Dance Forums.
Belly Dancing San Francisco
Retrieved 10 May 2016. Mourat, Elizabeth 'Artemis'. Retrieved 12 May 2016. Donna Carlton (1995) Looking for Little Egypt. Bloomington, Indiana: International Dance Discovery Books. 7 December 1893 – via NYTimes.com.
Arabic Belly Dancing
Hdl.loc.gov. ^. Tribalbellydance.org.
Asmahan of London. Gilded Serpent. Asmahan of London. Gilded Serpent.
Retrieved 18 February 2013. Orientaldancer.net. Dallal, Tamalyn (2004). Berkley: Ulysses Press.
Belly Dancing South Austin
Lo Iacono, Valeria. Coluccia, Pina, Anette Paffrath, and Jean Putz. Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit. Rochester, Vt: Park Street Press, 2005External links. Media related to at Wikimedia Commons.