Dance of the Week: Belly Dance

Belly dance has changed throughout the years but its mental and physical benefits remain the same. First let's check an overview of its history and costume development. Afterwards, check out our other post about the health benefits of belly dance. (There is a video of a belly dance off between a man and a woman at the end of this post)

Belly Dance History

Belly dancing began in the Middle East and it was a ritual to celebrate and prepare for child birth. Women would perform it only for other women. The women would prepare dinner for their husbands and son, and then they would meet at a private location after dinner time. In Muslim society, belly dance was also used as a form for women to show their mothers that they were ready for marriage. This is because belly dancing helps women develop the muscles necessary for successful childbirth.

There are other terms for "belly dance". Here I have provided two more.

Arabic- Raks Sharqi- meaning Oriental Dance

French- Danse du Ventre- meaning Stomach Dance

Belly Dance Costume

The costumes used then are nothing like today. Dancers never showed any skin. Instead, they would wear many garments of different colors. The dancers' task was to move their pelvises strongly enough to move all the layers of clothing.

Because this dance was only between women, young men started performing it in other locations, like coffee houses, for other men. They would wear many long garments with a scarf around the waist. At times, they would use swords and canes as props.

European Influence*

Belly dance did reach a point where men were equally acceptable to do belly dance just like women. However, europeans started promoting only female belly dancers just because tourists would prefer to see women dance than males. Slowly, that caused western countries to think belly dance was a female, sexual dance.

We have partnered up with Tufts Middle Eastern Dance to give a free belly dance workshop November 19, 2016 at 3:30pm

(Check Calendar for location)

Video- Belly Dance Off

Check out this video of a belly dance off between a man and a woman!