| dancing originated from various sources which are | | | | modern “raqs sharqi”. This is because |
| why there are lots of theories about its origin. It is | | | | some of the movements demonstrated a type of |
| known world-wide and practiced by a lot of people. | | | | exercise in order to ease childbirth. Thus, there are |
| As far as world history is concerned, Belly Dancing is | | | | two points stated above that suggests that the |
| among the oldest societal dances. It is believed that it | | | | so-called “Roma dance” is the origin of |
| originated from the Eastern Mediterranean. This is due | | | | belly dancing. Regardless of where this dance began, |
| to the fact that there are similarities in Egyptian | | | | it has a vast history and this eventually traveled fast |
| artwork poses and modern dance. | | | | around the world. It has a wide history in Africa and |
| Belly dancing have two forms that are called raqs | | | | the Middle East as well. |
| baladi and raqs sharqi. Raqs baladi is a social dance in | | | | The Costume |
| Lebanon and Palestine. It is performed by everyone | | | | The most popular costume style include a bra or a |
| during festivities such as weddings that are intended | | | | fitted top that usually have coins or beans, along with |
| for celebrations and mere fun. The theatrical version | | | | a skirt and a fitted belt placed in the hips that have |
| of Belly dancing is the “raqs shargi”. | | | | fringes of coins or beads. The skirts may be layered, |
| Raqs sharqi is the most popular type of dance in the | | | | paneled, circular or straight -styled. A veil is |
| United States today. Both forms of Belly dancing can | | | | sometimes used in performing a complete dance. The |
| be performed with female and male dancers. | | | | veil must be four or three and a half yards in length. |
| Belly dancing is a native dance that is why it is | | | | It is used as a part of the dance in order to frame |
| generally learned in the early stage of childhood. The | | | | and see the movements of the belly dancer. Egyptian |
| children learn the dance informally by imitating and | | | | belly dancers wear dresses that are fully beaded and |
| observing their elders through community and social | | | | designed according to tradition and dance. In the |
| celebrations, along with informal gatherings like most | | | | western world, dancers are free to choose the |
| social dances. Nowadays, belly-dancing classes are | | | | design of the costume according to fantasy and |
| offered throughout the world. Skilled dancers of this | | | | taste. |
| art share their knowledge that was even passed | | | | Dancing Techniques |
| down from the indigenous people. | | | | The basic step of this form of dance is doing a |
| The real and exact origin of Belly dancing is widely | | | | circular motion on an isolated part of the body. An |
| debated by dance enthusiasts. Dancers who attempt | | | | example of this is a step where in the dancer |
| to understand the origin of this dance did some | | | | performs in a circular motion that is parallel to the |
| research. This is because these dancers overlooked | | | | ground and a body part. This is, in which, the |
| the fact that most Middle Eastern dances take place | | | | shoulders or hips become isolated. |
| only in social backgrounds rather than going with the | | | | Belly dancing both have physical and mental benefits. |
| current glamorous and more visible background of | | | | Dancing alone gives a good workout to any |
| professional dancers in nightclubs these days. There | | | | person’s cardio-vascular muscles. This can |
| are lots of theories about the origin of belly dancing | | | | increase the strength and flexibility focused on the |
| due to the misunderstandings of the people who | | | | “core muscles” or the torso. This |
| want to learn its art. It is also regarded as a fusion of | | | | form of dance also builds up leg strength. Most belly |
| different dance styles. This is why belly dancing has | | | | dance steps emphasize the so-called |
| many origins. Thus, most of the dance styles are | | | | “muscular isolations” due to the fact |
| derived from folk dances. | | | | that it teaches the ability to move different muscle |
| Here is a list of theories about the origin of belly | | | | groups or muscles in the body independently. The veil |
| dancing, according to most dancers: | | | | work can build the shoulders, arms and the general |
| 1. Belly dancing originated in Greece and it spread | | | | upper body system. Playing the “zils” |
| because of Alexander the Great. | | | | builds independence and strength on the fingers. This |
| 2. Belly dancing originated from a religious dance that | | | | form of dance is good for all body types and all age |
| a Temple Priestess made. | | | | groups. |
| 3. Belly dancing originated from the Upper Ancient | | | | Belly dancing is now a part of the modern pop culture |
| Egypt through indigenous dancing. | | | | as well. Some pop icons of this age fused belly |
| 4. Belly dancing descended from Uzbekistan and | | | | dancing into the modern hip-hop dancing. The Latin |
| traveled to India because of the slave trade. | | | | star Shakira has recently popularized belly dancing for |
| 5. Belly dancing was spread during the Romani | | | | she uses Latino dance along with belly dancing and |
| people’s migrations (termed as | | | | modern dance. The late R&B singer Aaliyah used |
| “gypsies”) and other related groups. | | | | this form of dance as her “signature |
| 6. Belly dancing originated in Northwest India, | | | | move”. Ssliyah named her dance the |
| particularly in Banjara of Rajasthan. | | | | “belly roll” and it was featured in music |
| 7. Bally dancing is part of a traditional birthing practice | | | | videos. Some singers or performers that featured a |
| in its region or regions of origin. | | | | kind of belly dancing in one of their music videos |
| From all the theories stated above, the first one is | | | | include Ciara, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles, Britney |
| considered as the most “believed” | | | | Spears, Christina Aguilera and Nelly Furtado. Out of all |
| theory. This is although the most popular theory is | | | | the singers that performed belly dancing on music |
| that it originated from a religious dance. The theory | | | | videos, only Shakira had a professional “Belly |
| about the “birthing practice” has | | | | Dance training”. |
| several movements that are incorporated in the | | | | |