Dans Oriental, Raqs Sharqi, Chiftelli, Bellydance.
Bellydance is an ancient dance thousands of years old. First recorded pictures date
back to the 16th century.
Social Traditions
In the Middle East women are naturally
wonderful dancers.
It is a beautiful thing to see the dance in the original and traditional form.
In Arabia women dance together for fun,
enjoyment and is totally approved
amongst themselves. Girls learn from their mothers and grandmothers. Dancing as an expression of their every day lives, feelings and values. Their abdomens and pelvis are strong and flexible, ready for childbirth and motherhood. Dancing for men is
not the origin of bellydance.
However bellydance features at celebrations and functions, the birth of a baby and weddings.
At weddings, professional entertainers will perform.The men and women of the two families would come together and dance. Professional dancers in some sectors are looked down upon unless they reach celebrity status, in which case they are
held in high regard.
Some other wonderful forms of belly dance: Beladi, Saiidi stick dance, Alexandrian Milaya dance, Greek Chiftelli,
Turkish Caberet style, Folkloric.
From the traditional ancient forms of
Middle Eastern Dance, t
here are many other styles we enjoy and see more of today. Evolving and fusing, from all around the world: Gypsy, Bollywood, Flamenco, and the Stunning Tribal Fusion to name a few.