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Know More About

Belly Dancing - A BRIEF HISTORY OF BELLY DANCING -

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Belly dancing originated from various sources which are why

there are lots of theories about its origin. It is known world-wide

and practiced by a lot of people.

As far as world history is concerned, Belly Dancing is among the

oldest societal dances. It is believed that it originated from the

Eastern Mediterranean. This is due to the fact that there are

similarities in Egyptian artwork poses and modern dance.

Belly dancing have two forms that are called raqs baladi and raqs

sharqi. Raqs baladi is a social dance in Lebanon and Palestine. It

is performed by everyone during festivities such as weddings that

are intended for celebrations and mere fun.

The theatrical version of Belly dancing is the "raqs shargi". Raqs

sharqi is the most popular type of dance in the United States

today. Both forms of Belly dancing can be performed with female

and male dancers.

Belly dancing is a native dance that is why it is generally learned

in the early stage of childhood. The children learn the dance

informally by imitating and observing their elders through

community and social celebrations, along with informal

gatherings like most social dances.

Nowadays, belly-dancing classes are offered throughout the

world. Skilled dancers of this art share their knowledge that was

even passed down from the indigenous people.

The real and exact origin of Belly dancing is widely debated by

dance enthusiasts. Dancers who attempt to understand the origin

of this dance did some research. This is because these dancers

overlooked the fact that most Middle Eastern dances take place

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only in social backgrounds rather than going with the current

glamorous and more visible background of professional dancers in

nightclubs these days. There are lots of theories about the origin

of belly dancing due to the misunderstandings of the people who

want to learn its art. It is also regarded as a fusion of different

dance styles. This is why belly dancing has many origins. Thus,

most of the dance styles are derived from folk dances.

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Here is a list of theories about the origin of belly dancing,

according to most dancers:

1. Belly dancing originated in Greece and it spread because of

Alexander the Great.

2. Belly dancing originated from a religious dance that a Temple

Priestess made.

3. Belly dancing originated from the Upper Ancient Egypt through

indigenous dancing.

4. Belly dancing descended from Uzbekistan and traveled to India

because of the slave trade.

5. Belly dancing was spread during the Romani people's

migrations (termed as "gypsies") and other related groups.

6. Belly dancing originated in Northwest India, particularly in

Banjara of Rajasthan.

7. Bally dancing is part of a traditional birthing practice in its

region or regions of origin.

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From all the theories stated above, the first one is considered as

the most "believed" theory. This is although the most popular

theory is that it originated from a religious dance. The theory

about the "birthing practice" has several movements that are

incorporated in the modern "raqs sharqi". This is because some of

the movements demonstrated a type of exercise in order to ease

childbirth. Thus, there are two points stated above that suggests

that the so-called "Roma dance" is the origin of belly dancing.

Regardless of where this dance began, it has a vast history and

this eventually traveled fast around the world. It has a wide

history in Africa and the Middle East as well.

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The Costume

The most popular costume

style include a bra or a

fitted top that usually have

coins or beans, along with

a skirt and a fitted belt

placed in the hips that

have fringes of coins or

beads. The skirts may be

layered, paneled, circular

or straight -styled. A veil is

sometimes used in

performing a complete

dance. The veil must be

four or three and a half

yards in length. It is used

as a part of the dance in

order to frame and see the

movements of the belly

dancer. Egyptian belly

dancers wear dresses that

are fully beaded and

designed according to

tradition and dance. In the

western world, dancers are

free to choose the design

of the costume according

to fantasy and taste.

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Dancing Techniques

The basic step of this form of dance is doing a circular motion on

an isolated part of the body. An example of this is a step where in

the dancer performs in a circular motion that is parallel to the

ground and a body part. This is, in which, the shoulders or hips

become isolated.

Belly dancing both have physical and mental benefits. Dancing

alone gives a good workout to any person's cardio-vascular

muscles. This can increase the strength and flexibility focused on

the "core muscles" or the torso. This form of dance also builds up

leg strength. Most belly dance steps emphasize the so-called

"muscular isolations" due to the fact that it teaches the ability to

move different muscle groups or muscles in the body

independently. The veil work can build the shoulders, arms and

the general upper body system. Playing the "zils" builds

independence and strength on the fingers. This form of dance is

good for all body types and all age groups.

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Belly dancing is now a part of the modern pop culture as well.

Some pop icons of this age fused belly dancing into the modern

hip-hop dancing. The Latin star Shakira has recently popularized

belly dancing for she uses Latino dance along with belly dancing

and modern dance. The late R&B singer Aaliyah used this form of

dance as her "signature move". Ssliyah named her dance the

"belly roll" and it was featured in music videos. Some singers or

performers that featured a kind of belly dancing in one of their

music videos include Ciara, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles, Britney

Spears, Christina Aguilera and Nelly Furtado. Out of all the

singers that performed belly dancing on music videos, only

Shakira had a professional "Belly Dance training".

Find out more on belly dancing from Mariella Monroe herself.