The dancing we have come to know as ' belly dancing ' arises from the French ' danse du ventre ' use " dance of the tummy ". This expression was utilitarian in the Victorian era but is fairly erratic seeing as the dance incorporates every part of the body. Other terms count, raks sharqi which is Arabic for " dance of the east " and " oriental " or " eastern " dance.
Culturally, belly dancing has its origins in early Arab tribal religious cultures that existed around 6000 elderliness ago. The dance was performed as an offering to the champion of fertility. Idolater peoples of the day worshipped female gods and vastly honoured the cleric feminine and the capacity of females to bring radiate life. Today in the Middle East, diversified movements from belly dance are used to assist labour. The deliberate motions of muscle contractions and spasms are very similar to the body ' s natural movements during childbirth.
Geographically, it has its origins in Mesopotamia. It is thought that gypsies spread the dance through their travels to North Africa. The dance then moved east to India and west to Italy and Spain. Different cultural influences can be clearly seen in belly dance movements along with differing costume styles.
In the West, the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th centuries popularised belly dancing. They came from the Middle East to perform at World ' s Fairs or Expos held in various countries thus spreading this form of dance. The terms " oriental " or " eastern " dance were first coined at this time.
Egyptian dancers were influenced by various outside cultural influences such as ballet troops from Russia and European colonials who brought marching bands.
Gypsies travelling from India would perform in the streets and theatres to support themselves. From India they moved to Afghanistan and Persia moving on to Turkey and then to Europe. Some when south to Egypt and North Africa.
This art form is now practised in many countries worldwide including American, Canada, UK and Ireland, Australia and Asia as well as the obvious Egypt and Turkey and surrounding regions. Westerners often consider Egypt to be the seat of belly dancing but contrary to popular belief, belly dancers in Egypt are not well regarded and it is not seen as a respectable profession. Dancers are restricted to certain acceptable movements, there is no floor work and it is not allowed on television. Most belly dancers in Egypt are foreigners who dance for tourists.
Historically in Egypt however, gypsy dancers known as the ghawanzee danced for the public with music and swords, candles, veils and sticks. Dancers where frowned upon by the authorities but tolerated as they taxed the dancers profits. However, public belly dancing was finally banned in Cairo in 1834 due to religious based complaints. The ban was lifted but the dance was only allowed in theatres and thus the Egyptian cabaret - style was born.
However, it has become so popular in the West that you will find classes in almost every town and city, from Birmingham, UK to Birmingham, Alabama, USA, as well as the Middle East.
