Frequently Asked Questions About Belly Dance
Where does Belly Dance
Come From?
Bellydance has a long history that has its roots in the folk dances of the Middle East. Some folkloric styles are still very much the same as they were a hundred years ago or more, others have evolved, incorporating new ideas from outside the traditional influences. Where and how exactly belly dance originated however is something we can only theorize on as no records exist that document it's origins.
Is there more than one Style
of Belly Dance?
Yes, there are many different styles of Belly Dance, from the more traditional to very modernized versions. However, these can be broken down into four major categories: Cabaret, Folkloric, Tribal and Fusion.
How are the styles different?
Pages could be written about the differences, sometimes very subtle ones at that, of the various iterations of Belly Dance.
Cabaret Style, as I refer to it on this website, encompasses many variations of the typical belly dance style that most people are familiar with. While the student of belly dance may understand the difference between Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese, American Belly Dance, etc., to the layperson they’re all very similar. Shiny beaded costumes with lots of sequins, rhinestones and fringe, flowing silk veils and skirts are part of that image.
Tribal Style is an American invention of the 1970’s that had its roots in the ethnic dances of the Middle East as well as Cabaret Bellydance. It was a purposeful return to a more earthy and ethnic feel, though not necessarily one based on reality.
Tribal Style is known for it’s unique format of group improvisational dancing. The costuming included very full skirts, cholis, coin bras, turbans, harem pants, and tassel belts. Instead of shiny stamped coins, sequins and glass beads, they make use of such elements as cowrie shells, authentic old coins and other pieces which they transformed into a distinctly American version of “ethnic”.
What style is best?
I don’t believe any style is better than another. It’s all personal opinion based on your own experiences and preferences on not only the presentation of dance techniques but in costuming and even stage dynamics.
What style do you teach?
I teach a combination of styles, which vary by class. My training has been in Egyptian, American Cabaret, ATS and Tribal Fusion. and I bring all of these into my class instruction. I sometimes call my style American Fusion Belly Dance as that covers all the bases.
What other names does
Belly Dance go by?
Belly dance is also known as Raks Sharki (or Raqs Sharki or even Raqs Al Sharki, which means "Dance of the East" in arabic. It is also known as Middle Eastern Dance and Oriental Dance as well as by other names in other countries.
Is Belly Dance respectable or is
it like stripping or exotic dance?
No, belly dance is not stripping. The history of belly dance in the United States has unfortunately long been associated with seduction and eroticism thanks to mis-representation that goes back all the way to the World's Faire of 1893 and has been perpetuated by Hollywood and other media. In truth, belly dance at its root is based on traditional and social dances of the Middle East that are family-friendly and are often the dances of women and for women, not a dance of seduction as it is so often portrayed.
Come From?
Bellydance has a long history that has its roots in the folk dances of the Middle East. Some folkloric styles are still very much the same as they were a hundred years ago or more, others have evolved, incorporating new ideas from outside the traditional influences. Where and how exactly belly dance originated however is something we can only theorize on as no records exist that document it's origins.
Is there more than one Style
of Belly Dance?
Yes, there are many different styles of Belly Dance, from the more traditional to very modernized versions. However, these can be broken down into four major categories: Cabaret, Folkloric, Tribal and Fusion.
How are the styles different?
Pages could be written about the differences, sometimes very subtle ones at that, of the various iterations of Belly Dance.
Cabaret Style, as I refer to it on this website, encompasses many variations of the typical belly dance style that most people are familiar with. While the student of belly dance may understand the difference between Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese, American Belly Dance, etc., to the layperson they’re all very similar. Shiny beaded costumes with lots of sequins, rhinestones and fringe, flowing silk veils and skirts are part of that image.
Tribal Style is an American invention of the 1970’s that had its roots in the ethnic dances of the Middle East as well as Cabaret Bellydance. It was a purposeful return to a more earthy and ethnic feel, though not necessarily one based on reality.
Tribal Style is known for it’s unique format of group improvisational dancing. The costuming included very full skirts, cholis, coin bras, turbans, harem pants, and tassel belts. Instead of shiny stamped coins, sequins and glass beads, they make use of such elements as cowrie shells, authentic old coins and other pieces which they transformed into a distinctly American version of “ethnic”.
What style is best?
I don’t believe any style is better than another. It’s all personal opinion based on your own experiences and preferences on not only the presentation of dance techniques but in costuming and even stage dynamics.
What style do you teach?
I teach a combination of styles, which vary by class. My training has been in Egyptian, American Cabaret, ATS and Tribal Fusion. and I bring all of these into my class instruction. I sometimes call my style American Fusion Belly Dance as that covers all the bases.
What other names does
Belly Dance go by?
Belly dance is also known as Raks Sharki (or Raqs Sharki or even Raqs Al Sharki, which means "Dance of the East" in arabic. It is also known as Middle Eastern Dance and Oriental Dance as well as by other names in other countries.
Is Belly Dance respectable or is
it like stripping or exotic dance?
No, belly dance is not stripping. The history of belly dance in the United States has unfortunately long been associated with seduction and eroticism thanks to mis-representation that goes back all the way to the World's Faire of 1893 and has been perpetuated by Hollywood and other media. In truth, belly dance at its root is based on traditional and social dances of the Middle East that are family-friendly and are often the dances of women and for women, not a dance of seduction as it is so often portrayed.