Bellydancing – A brief history page

Oriental Bellydancing has long been a symbol of the Middle East and has added to its magical attraction. It has aroused interest in the Western world since the beginning of the 20th century.

Over the years literature and films such as “1001 Arabian Nights, Sinbad, Salome and Aladdin all give us images of scantily clad, heavily jewelled, beautiful women dancing their spellbinding dances before hoards of men. But in fact the dance was originally performed 4000 years ago as part of fertility rituals where women danced with other women for women in sacred ceremonies and to prepare for childbirth.

As the male influence became more dominant in religion women dancing in sacred temples diminished, but bellydance survived and over the thousands of years was transformed into entertainment. During the Ottoman Empire female gypsy dancers were hired to entertain the women living in the harems – continuing the legacy of women dancing exclusively for women.

In Arabic, the dance is called Raks Sharqi, meaning “Oriental Dance”. The term “bellydance” - the Dance of the Stomach, was first used by the when they saw the body isolations. This is not an entirely accurate name as the dance involves the whole body, not just the abdomen. The technique of isolating major muscle groups and working them in isolation or in opposition to other parts of the body causes a noticeable and continuous movement in the mid-section. Shimmies and body vibrations also cause a reaction in the belly. To the observer, the belly does indeed dance! Other distinguishing features are circular or wavelike moves of arms, hands, head, upper torso and hips, using sharp angular and vibrating moves with these areas.

Bellydance Equipment

Shimmy Belts
During the 4th Dynasty BC Professional Middle Eastern Dancers the Almeh were rewarded with gold necklaces and precious jewels. In complete contrast the Ghawazee or Street Dancers got coins tossed at their feet.

Having nowhere safe to store their earnings, these dancers incorporated the coins into their hair, dresses, head coverings, shawls and the belts they wore around their hips.

These coins jangled as the dancer dances. It was also a way of displaying their wealth.

The age-old tradition of the dancer wearing her wages on her body has evolved to todays bellydancers wearing coin bracelets, necklaces and shimmy belts made with coins.