One detail that is often overlooked by Americans at any rate is that belly dancing is a style of dance that was traditionally performed by both male and female dancers. Modern American variations in movies and on stage often have this form of dance performed almost exclusively by women, which does a disservice to its history.
Speaking of history, the history of belly dancing is not exactly clear. In fact, the only thing that is really clear when it comes to the history of this incredible form of dance is that it has a very long history. The length of the history and the possible absence of recorded data during earlier points in history is believed to be largely to blame for the fact that so little is really known about the origins of belly dancing. Popular theories about the origins of this form of dance include origins in Greece that were spread with Alexander the Great, origins in Egypt performed by the native population, that it was spread by the gypsies in the course of their travels, and that it was a religious ceremony (though there are various beliefs even among this theory that include everything from fertility rites to part of the practices carried out when giving birth as well as a celebration of various deities). Despite the wide range of opinions about the origins of belly dancing, there is little dispute that it remains widely popular around the world today regardless of its origins.
The current belief is that there are two forms of this incredible dance. The first being raqs baladi and raqs sharqi. In the latter form, which is widely popular in the United States today, the music is an integral part of the dance. In fact, many feel that this particular dance is an emotional response to the music. Dancers that can project their emotions into their movements are often considered the best belly dancers regardless of how simple or complex the movements they use may be. Raqs sharqi is also believed to be a dance for more mature women as younger women do not have the experiences from which to draw in order to make the movement believable.
Belly dancing has seen a few facelifts along the way as well. While there are many who hold to the old traditions of belly dance there are also those that are putting a bit of a modern spin on an old and familiar form of dance. In America there has been a rise in a form of belly dancing that is known as “American Tribal Style Belly Dance”. Carolena Nericcio created this style of belly dancing that seems to be growing in popularity throughout the U.S.
If you have any doubts as to whether or not belly dancing is for you be sure to watch the videos. One thing to keep in mind is that belly dancing isn’t about having the perfect belly or body. In fact, many people use belly dancing to help them create the belly or body they’ve always wanted. Belly dancing is largely about emotional expression. There are few more beautiful ways to express emotions than this stunning style of dance we know as belly dancing.
