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The Sociohistorical Significance of Belly Dancing in Arab Culture

The Sociohistorical Significance of Belly Dancing in Arab Culture. Laura G. Jill S. Christine V. Belly Dancing or "Raks Sharqi” in Arabic means "The Dance Of The Orient" when translated. Frane  " danse du venture". Greece  “ cifte telli ” (also the name of a Turkish rhythm)

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The Sociohistorical Significance of Belly Dancing in Arab Culture

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  1. The Sociohistorical Significance of Belly Dancing in Arab Culture Laura G. Jill S. Christine V.

  2. Belly Dancing or "Raks Sharqi” in Arabic means "The Dance Of The Orient" when translated. Frane "dansedu venture". Greece “ciftetelli” (also the name of a Turkish rhythm) Turkey “rakkase” Middle Easterners "danseorientale" to distinguish it from the "balady", or country, dance.

  3. Origins of Oriental/Belly Dance • - Pagan cultures in Mesopotamia • Maternal deity • Woman’s ability to carry a child • Fertility  Abdomen is where pregnancy is shown • Spread throughout Middle East by nomads

  4. History of Cultural Entertainment • Turkey • Chengis use of finger cymbals • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuVAUemvJ88 • Çiftetelli belly dancing influenced by traditional folkdance • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h6Vf0F-BvQ&feature=related • Egypt • Ghawazee public dance and music performances that included belly dancing • Belly dancing ban (Cairo 1934 to 1955) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI0FEF9r3CQ&feature=related

  5. Raqssharqi Arabic “Dance of the Orient”

  6. Belly Dancing as Exotic Entertainment Europe • In the late 1700’s  France and Great Britain occupied Egypt • Young soldiers excited to be free of the rules and regulations of home life tempted dancers with money begging prostitution in the area. • Stories of “harem dancing” traveled to Europe, and were exaggerated tales of a forbidden room, full of food, wine and beautiful dancing women  Belly dancers wear “harem pants”

  7. Belly Dancing as Exotic Entertainment • America • Chicago World Fair in 1893  coined the term “belly dance” from controversial dancer “Little Egypt • Growing Exposure in America: • Influx of Immigrants (Greek, Turkish, Persian) • American WWII soldiers in North Africa • Clubs, magazines, art • Broadway  1954 hit, Fanny • Form of fitness  Fitness trend in the 1980’s, alternative forms of exercize (Aerobics, jazzercize, Zumba, and belly dance)

  8. Analysis • Spiritual significance • Homage to cultural traditions  celebration of womanhood • Belly dancing as an art form/entertainment

  9. Sources Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1998. Griffin, Wendy. Daughters of the Goddess: Studies of Healing, Identity, And Empowerment. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2000. Shay, Anthony. Dancing Across Borders: the American Fascination With Exotic Dance Forms. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 2008 Zuhur, S. (2001). Colors of enchantment: theater, dance, music, and the visual arts of the Middle East. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.

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