[Class Title]
Introduction
Dancing is an integral part of human culture. Its importance is not only defined by its entertaining quality, but because dancing has also served as a form of human communication and expression. Dancing is a universal expression, which can be observed in almost every culture around the globe. And just like the oral language, there are dances that are unique to a particular culture as it reveals a particular purpose or way of life. The increasing contact between different cultures, however, has made certain cultural traditions such as dances to become transferred or adopted by another culture. As the phenomenon of globalization intensifies, it becomes more difficult to determine the origins of dance routines that are being practiced today. Over the years, some dance routines have been adopted while others were being discovered. But despite the fact that there are new dance routines that are being discovered and developed, there are certain dances that have never gone out of style and one of which is belly dancing. Belly dancing is a dance routine characterized by the undulating movement of the hips and the abdomen and is accompanied by graceful hand movements. This type of dance is erotic in nature and is performed mostly by women. It is believed that belly dancing has already been practiced since the primitive times and is present or has comparable characteristics with traditional dance routines of varied cultures. This paper would like to determine the origins of the belly dancing and how it has developed over time. The importance of this endeavor could not be undermined. As observed by one scholar, “At the same time, the politics of dance forms that travel, such as belly dance, are important to consider, because they allow us to trace historical connections between the Middle East/West Asia and the United States/“the West” and the movement of bodies that migrate to the metropole” (Maira 318).
Origins of Belly Dancing
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact history of belly dancing and how it started. As observed by one researcher, “only sparse and speculative records are available from prior to the 19th century that depict the dance, its origins and its social roles” (Banasiak 2). For the same reason, no one can tell with certainty, “what ‘traditional’ belly dance looked like or how it was practiced” (Banasiak 2). There is a consensus among scholars, though that belly dancing has an oriental origin (Banasiak 2; Maira 317). This dance routine is commonly regarded as part of the eastern dance culture, which includes not only Central Asia, but also traditionally practiced in Africa, the Balkans, India and even in China. It is likely that the dance developed out of the ancient fertility rituals of pagan societies and is performed to prepare women for childbirth. The dance has many versions and forms depending on the country where it is being practiced. It is speculated that the dance may have originated from India and migrated through cultural exchanges towards North Africa and Central Asia. The most popular of the belly dance version, however, is the one that originated from the Middle East, which has been portrayed in popular media as a dance performed by oriental women “to entertain and seduce men in harem settings” (Banasiak 2). In Arabic, belling dancing is called ‘Raqs Sharqi,’ which also translates as Eastern Dance in English language. The Raqs Sharqi or belly dancing as it is called in the West is a traditional Arabic dance performed either solo or in small groups by Arab women in festive occasions such as in wedding and parties.
The Meaning of Belly Dancing
There is much controversy as to the meaning and interpretation of belly dancing. According to scholars, the term ‘belly dance’ have been coined from the French word “dans du ventre,” which is literally interpreted as ‘dance of the stomach’ (Rothman 16). The term belly dancing, however, does not reflect the rich cultural traditions and the complex elements of the dance as it is performed in the orient. As a traditional dance, some oriental dance fanatics find the term ‘belly dancing’ as degrading (Rothman 11). Accordingly, the term ‘belly dancing’ degrades the dance because it implies that the dance is only a rhythmic movement of the belly and does not account for the complexity of the moves of the whole body (Rothman 11). Furthermore, they believe that the term ‘belly dancing’ ignores the geographic aspect of the dance (Rothman 11). In Central Asia, for instance, the dance is called by its place of origin. For the same reason, the name ‘Raqs Sharqi,’ which translates literally to “dance of the east” is of important consequence because it provides a geographical and cultural identity to the dance. At an extreme, there are individuals who believe that belly dancing should only be performed by oriental women and any performance of such dance of a different race is appropriation or cultural exploitation. According to oriental culture expert and columnist, Randa Jarrar, white women who perform belly dancing are knowingly or unknowingly engage in appropriation. As an Arab woman, Jarrar believes that belly dancing is only exclusive to Arab practitioners. As stated by Jarrar, “This dance form is originally ours, and does not exist, so that white women can have a better sense of community; can gain a deeper sense of sisterhood with each other; can reclaim their bodies; can celebrate their sexualities; can perform for the female gaze”. On the contrary, there are also some individuals who view the adoption of ‘belly dancing’ in the West as an important development of the diversity of the Western culture. In America where different cultures meet with less friction than any other place in the world, belly dancing has found a new meaning. Not only it is performed for traditional reasons, it is also performed to entertain and as a form of physical exercise. The dance has gained many followers in the Westm particularly with women who are fascinated by the oriental culture. Belly dancing, for some, is freedom of expression, particularly in the context of human sexuality. According to one performer, belly dancing is empowering; providing women with self realization of their power and control over their audience (Banasiak 6). For many, belly dancing showcase the power of women to seduce and manipulate a man’s sexual desire.
Criticisms on Belly Dancing
Belly dancing was not originally welcomed in the west. Because of its undeniable element of eroticism, many westerners view it in disgust. When the dance was first seen in the United States at the Chicago World‟s Fair Midway Plaisance in 1893, belly dancing become instantly controversial. Many conservatives criticized its sexual appeal, dismissing it as a vulgar display of oriental culture. As observed by one scholar, “at once wildly erotic displays of sensuality dripping with the voluptuous passion of the East and an offensive set of movements, which were extremely ungraceful and almost shockingly disgusting” (Pilaski 9). It should be noted though that this commentary was made in the backdrop of the Victorian era wherein dancers are expected to perform in the conservative standards of the time. There is also much confusion as to the erotic nature of the dance and the level of influence of oriental culture to the vulgarity of the dancer’s costume. It should be noted, for instance, that belly dancing, as it is performed in the orient, is less obscene. Traditionally, the dancers’ wear costumes of long skirts or robes. According to experts, the setting, the choreography and the costume drastically changed when belly dancing was adopted by nightclubs in Egypt in the 1920s. The typical belly dancer costume, as it is known today, was developed out of the desire to please foreign tourists who frequent these nightclubs. The nightclubs made their dancers wear revealing costumes and lots of glitter.
Conclusion
Belly dancing is a traditional dance whose origins can be traced back to the orient, particularly in India, the Middle East, the Balkans and the North African region. It is believed that belly dancing has existed as an ancient fertility ritual practiced by pagans in the orient. Before it became widely popular in the west, this dance was traditionally performed during festive occasions such as weddings or parties. It is also believed that the traditional costume of the dance is made of long robes and skirts. Belly dancing has been identified as a distinguishing feature of the rich oriental culture. But like many cultural elements and art forms, the belly dancing tradition did not stay within the confines of the orient. Over the years, belly dancing has made its way towards the west and has become a part of the western dance portfolio. Some critics believe that the tradition of belly dancing has become adulterated when it was adopted and become popularized in the west. Some even see the practice of belly dancing by westerners as an appropriation or exploitation of the oriental culture, thereby losing its significance and identity. But despite the fact that belly dancing has already been widely adopted and performed in the west, the oriental distinction of the dance could not be easily put aside. Today, belly dancers are well aware of the oriental signature of the dance. In fact, many of the foreigners that engage in belly dancing are enjoying the dance because they too are fascinated with oriental culture. Perhaps the most compelling reason as to why belly dancing has become so popular not only in the west, but universally, is the element of control and the empowering aspect of the dance. With its unique costume and graceful choreography, belly dancing allows women to freely showcase and accentuate their feminine qualities.
Works Cited
Banasiak, K. Dancing the East in the West: Orientalism, feminism, and belly dance. 2014. July 2016 <http://www.acrawsa.org.au/files/ejournalfiles/229Banasiak201414.pdf>.
History and Origins of Belly Dance. 2016. July 2016 <http://www.worldbellydance.com/history/>.
Jarrar, R. Why I can’t stand white belly dancers. 2014. July 2016 <http://www.salon.com/2014/03/04/why_i_cant_stand_white_belly_dancers/>.
Maira, S. Belly Dancing: Arab-Face, Orientalist Feminism, and U.S. Empire. 2008. July 2016 <http://www.uccnrs.ucsb.edu/sites/www.uccnrs.ucsb.edu/files/publications/American%20Quarterly%2060.2%20-%20Belly%20Dancing.pdf>.
Pilaski, R. BELLY DANCING: PRAXIS AND SELF-IDENTITY. 2013. July 2016 <https://fau.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fau%3A31043/datastream/OBJ/view/Belly_dancing__praxis_and_self-identity.pdf>.
Rothman, R. From Cairo to California: a concise history of bellydance in Egypt and America. 2013. July 2016 <https://dancedocsthinktank.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/c2c-master.pdf>.
