About Belly Dance

Roger Fenton
British, 1858
Albumen print
8 3/16 x 6 1/2 in.
85.XP.355.25
In the 1800s, a growing interest in what were considered exotic lands spawned a proliferation of images and texts that dealt with the foreign individual as the mysterious "other." Although costumed as an Egyptian dancer, this woman is actually an English model posing in Roger Fenton's London studio. Unable to capture the woman dancing since movement would render the image a blur, the photographer instead showed various musical instruments associated with dance. Even though the women pictured is a model it represents the fact that the dance was being performed as early as the mid 1800's.

Belly dance is one of the oldest documented dances known to man. It written and pictured on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs thousands of years old. The name is derived from the Arabic word "belidi," meaning "rhythmic dance. The american name "belly dancing" entered U.S. awareness in the 1890's, when the Columbia Exposition in Chicago first brought Middle Eastern dance artists to the attention of the American public with a danced called "little Egypt. A savvy promoter named Sol Bloom advertised the scandalous "belly dancing" as a way of attracting more visitors to the entertainment of the world's fair. It worked! People lined up outside the gates to get a glimpse of Little Egypt as she shook her hips violently, moved her body like a snake and undulated to the crowds roar.

Modern-day dancers are challenging the use of the term "Belly Dance" . Some leaders in the dance community advocate the use of more correct terms such as "Middle Eastern Dance" or "Oriental Dance", while others continue to embrace the name "belly dancing".

In the United States, Middle Eastern dance was embraced by the masses in the 1960's, many creative minds have come up with ideas on how to develop this ancient dance form into their own style. Over the ensuing decades, "Middle Eastern" dance in the United States isn't always "Middle Eastern" any more, and the term "belly dance" has gained popularity as a way of describing our modern implementation in our country of this beautiful dance inspired by the East.

Students who are new to Middle Eastern dance must recognize that there are various widely-used forms taught in our country when they attend classes, festivals and other events that showcase a broad spectrum of styles. They should experiment with various styles until they find one that suits them. While we do have many artists who are faithful to the Middle Eastern style, new styles have emerged which are distinctly American. Belly Dancers : this is the time to show the world that belly dance is a phenomenon that is sweeping the world and it's not about stripping, seduction, or any of the other unfair expletives it is being perceived as. It's all about women's independence, power, grace, and true beauty.

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