History & Costumes of Bellydance

Middle Eastern Dance – Oriental Dance – Raqs Sharqi – Bellydance.  There are many terms for an art that has been called the oldest form of dance in the world.  Dancers, writers and people living in the Middle East call it ‘Oriental Dance’ or ‘Raqs Sharqi’.  It is usually called ‘Bellydancing’ in North America, which comes from the French danse du ventre (dance of the stomach).  Probably the greatest misconception about Bellydancing is that is intended to entertain men.  Throughout history, this ritualized expression has usually been performed for other women – generally during fertility rites or parties preparing a young woman for marriage.  In most cases, the presence of men is not permitted.

Bellydance is over five thousand years old, with roots extending through many of the ancient cultures: India, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Persia, and the mid-East.  These dances have origin in ritual/tribal dances, temple dances, social dances, exercises to prepare women for childbirth, and dances of victory.  Throughout the many countries, cities, towns and villages that have the dance as part of their culture, one can see stylistic nuances in both the dance and costuming that mark the style of that region.

There are several different styles of Bellydance: Egyptian, Cabaret, Folkloric, Pharonic, Turkish, Lebanese, Persian, and Persian Banderi.   Most recently, a new form of Bellydancing called “American Tribal Style” has developed in the United States since the 1980s.

Bellydance movements are natural to a  women's muscle and skeletal structure, and even the leg and foot movements are predominantly low-impact.  Many people believe that this dance is the first and purest form of dance, since it naturally evolved with civilization, and can be performed by anyone, regardless of their age or body type.  This is also why Bellydancing is so popular as an exercise form.  Many of the movements involve isolating different areas of the body, and moving them sinuously in opposition to each other.  Other important qualities of Bellydance movements involve percussive hip accents, and fast, vibrating movements called Shimmies.  Bellydancing is generally performed barefoot, thought by many to emphasize the intimate physical connection between the dancer, her expression, and Mother Earth.

Bellydancing costumes are often colourful, flowing garments, accented with flowing scarves and veils.  Finger cymbals (made of brass and known as zills) are common, dating back to 200 B.C. as well as exotic jewelry, including intricate belts made of coins that, in earlier days, comprised the family’s wealth so that it might be portable in the event the woman needed to move quickly or flee.  Other interesting accessories used during the dance are swords, snakes, large vessels, and even huge candelabras, complete with flaming candles.