| If you thought that belly dancing was simply moving | | | | adopted by dancers in Egypt in the 1930s, and its style |
| your stomach around in circles, you're wrong. There | | | | stems from vaudeville, burlesque and Hollywood rather |
| are also a lot of common misconceptions, which | | | | than the actual Middle Eastern dress. This outfit was |
| accuse belly dancers of being "strippers" because of | | | | largely adopted due to the fact that the most popular |
| the types of movements involve. However, there is a | | | | venue for belly dancers was and still remains in night |
| much more extensive history to this style of dance | | | | clubs. Belly dancing is largely an improvisational dance |
| than most people realize. According to Wikipedia, belly | | | | form that focuses on moving the muscles around the |
| dancing is a western name for an Arabic style of | | | | hip and pelvic area. The idea of the dance seems to |
| dance that developed in the Middle East. It can also, | | | | be to isolate this one area while keeping the rest of |
| sometimes, be referred to as "Middle Eastern Dance". | | | | the body as still as possible. Many of the dance moves |
| Belly dancing is based on one of the oldest social | | | | that belly dancer incorporates require a lot more |
| dances in world history. There are two forms of belly | | | | flexibility than one would realize at first glance. |
| dancing: 1) raqs baladi and 2) raqs sharqi. Raqs baladi is | | | | Americans fascination with belly dancing began around |
| a social dance performed by people of all ages and | | | | the 1950s and has since spread throughout the United |
| by both sexes during festive occasions such as | | | | States. People can now attend belly dancing classes |
| weddings and other social gatherings. Raqs sharqi is | | | | and seminars to learn how to move like a belly dancer. |
| the most popular form of bell dancing in America | | | | You can also go to popular cities like New York or Las |
| today and can be performed by both female and male | | | | Vegas and see professional belly dancers at nightclubs |
| dancers alike. Just like a lot of social dance forms, | | | | and other venues. There is still a lot of speculation by |
| children learn how to belly dance from an early age by | | | | some as to the criticism that belly dancing is |
| watching their parents and other elders do it. Due to | | | | somewhat sexual in nature and not something that |
| the fact that belly dancing incorporates so many | | | | children should be exposed to. Also, usually we see |
| different dance styles into its art form, there has been | | | | female belly dancers as the primary gender in belly |
| much speculation as to where exactly belly dancing | | | | dancing. However, although not as common, male belly |
| originated from. Perhaps one of the most noticeable | | | | dancers can also be found such as in Turkey and |
| things about this dance style is the outfit. The type of | | | | other countries. Male belly dancers are not as popular |
| outfit that is typically worn by belly dancers is called | | | | or as commonplace as female belly dancers in the |
| bedlah, which in Arabic means suit. This outfit was | | | | United States. |