Video 1
Intersting Facts
Some intersting facts to me were that Belly Dancing is a spiritual connection between the body and mind, and that it is as majestic and regal as classical balle (About)t. I did not really see Belly Dancing as lofty dignity or nobility, but after wathching video 1 above I changed my mind. In this video, the belly dancer does more than the isolations of the body. She walks around and spins fast like ballet dancers. Also, I read that there have been some theories that Belly Dancing is similar or just as a strip dance, but I found out this is not accurate. This theroy is not correct because the belly dancer does not take her costume off, and the sensual costume is only part of the routine. In fact, it is pretty reasonable to me for the dancer to be proud of her outfit as it is crucial to wear the most elaborate and elegant dress to convey class and professionalism. I feel the belly dancer's outfit is very appropriate because if the stomach was covered, the effect of her moves would not be as impresive; and obviously the decorative outfit adds to the excitment. Video 2 proves that if the belly dancer covered her entire body, her talent would not be so obvious and amazing.
Another fact that amused me about Belly Dancing was its punishment for practicing the dance. I read that many Middle Eastern countries used restrict women from performing the dance, but later in the 1950s the law was repealed with the condition that the stomach would be covered (The Oriental). Moreover, I learned that recently, restaurants and nightspots that allow belly dancing are being terrorized by Islamic fundamentalists (The Oriental). Something very sad to me bout this is that women had to retire or were even forced to leave the country in order to have the freedom to perform as belly dancers.
An additional intersting fact about Belly Dancing is that it is a combination of movement from several different countries. These different styles are from Lebanon, North Africa, Egypt, Turkey and the Arabian Gulf due to trade and shifting boundaries (About). In addition, Westerns usually use the term belly dance to refer to a broad range of styles united in the use of certain isolation movements, which the most prominant and pervasive is the isolation of the hips. However, in Belly Dancing there are also isolations of the chest, shoulders, and hands as well as serpentine and indulating movements of the torso are often found (see video 3). One characteristic I noticed from belly dance myself was that it is very sensual, and in fact another trait common to this dance is its degree of flirtation and coquetry. The awsome belly dancers from the video 3 are great examples of the sensuality in Belly Dancing (second half of video).
Another fact that amused me about Belly Dancing was its punishment for practicing the dance. I read that many Middle Eastern countries used restrict women from performing the dance, but later in the 1950s the law was repealed with the condition that the stomach would be covered (The Oriental). Moreover, I learned that recently, restaurants and nightspots that allow belly dancing are being terrorized by Islamic fundamentalists (The Oriental). Something very sad to me bout this is that women had to retire or were even forced to leave the country in order to have the freedom to perform as belly dancers.
An additional intersting fact about Belly Dancing is that it is a combination of movement from several different countries. These different styles are from Lebanon, North Africa, Egypt, Turkey and the Arabian Gulf due to trade and shifting boundaries (About). In addition, Westerns usually use the term belly dance to refer to a broad range of styles united in the use of certain isolation movements, which the most prominant and pervasive is the isolation of the hips. However, in Belly Dancing there are also isolations of the chest, shoulders, and hands as well as serpentine and indulating movements of the torso are often found (see video 3). One characteristic I noticed from belly dance myself was that it is very sensual, and in fact another trait common to this dance is its degree of flirtation and coquetry. The awsome belly dancers from the video 3 are great examples of the sensuality in Belly Dancing (second half of video).
