Belly Dance

Belly Dance: A Rich and Vibrant Art Form

Belly dances as we know them today became widely known in the world relatively recently, just over 120 years ago. To this day, this art is still shrouded in a veil of mystery. Richly decorated costumes, complex arrhythmic music and smooth movements of the dancers fascinate and hypnotize the audience from the first seconds. Therefore, further, we will consider the history of belly dancing, its origin, as well as its peculiarities. You will learn what belly dance is and what is included in the list of belly dance styles.

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What style of dance is belly dancing?

Belly dance is an ancient art, which was taken as a basis for many oriental trends. Belly dance is characterized by rhythmic movements, involving all parts of the body: arms, thighs, abdomen, pelvis, legs, etc. In the process of such a dance, the body receives a high load, organs and muscle tissue are saturated with oxygen.

What is traditional belly dancing called?

This term encompasses the wide variety of styles and techniques used in belly dances, including Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, and more. What is the belly dance meaning and where does it originate from? Though it is still unknown when this dance style emerged it is thought that it was used as some sort of ritual dance connected with fertility. Today, belly dancing examples are considered as provocative dances and related to the sensual and feminist movements, however, it is still an essential part of the culture in many countries.

One key aspect of traditional belly dancing is the music that accompanies it. Belly style dance music typically features a combination of Middle Eastern instruments such as the oud, tabla, and doumbek, as well as Western instruments like the violin and accordion. This music is very specific to the movements of the dance and it is very coordinated and appealing to watch.

It is always helpful to know how the dance genre you love is done, or how it has evolved over the years for a belly dancer or a belly dance enthusiast.

Origins of Dance Belly

Let me tell you, the origins of belly dancing are a real head-scratcher. Some folks say it's been around forever, maybe even used in fertility rituals way back in ancient times. Whatever the truth, over the years it's exploded into this amazing art form with tons of different styles, each with its own unique flavor depending on where it comes from.

Belly dancing is all about celebrating your body's natural curves and how you move them. It's gotta be smooth and graceful, you see? Dancers can perform solo or with a whole bunch of people, and the music can be anything from those traditional Middle Eastern beats to even modern pop music. Some dancers even mix things up, throwing in moves from different cultures to create something totally new.

The best thing concerning belly dancing is that when people from different countries try to learn the dance or even watch it, they do not feel different. The only thing that can unite people in such a way is music and dancing which destroys all cultural differences. Thus, no matter whether you perform it as a professional belly dancer or you are simply interested in this dance type, there will always be something new to learn about this graceful and enchanting dance.

Costumes for Belly Dance

Belly dance costumes come in a variety of styles and designs, but they all have one common characteristic – the vocation to emphasize the movements and curves of the dancer. It is danced in a costume called the bedlah. Its classic elements are a bodice, a wide skirt with a slit on the hip, and a belt. The conservative audience adds a veil, which covers the abdomen, arms, and hair. The skirt is sometimes replaced by trousers. All these clothes are generously embroidered with pearls, rhinestones, and monistami. Jewelry is very important, as it attracts and mesmerizes the eyes of the audience, giving the dancer an oriental flavor. This dance is often performed with a large rectangular scarf.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular belly dance costume styles:

• Bedlah – This is the most classic and traditional cabaret style of a belly dance costume. It typically includes a bra top, a hip belt, and a skirt or harem pants. The bra top is often embellished with coins or intricate beadwork, while the hip belt may feature tassels, fringe, or additional beading. The skirt or harem pants are typically made of light and flowing fabrics and may have slits to showcase the dancer's leg movements.
• Baladi Dress – Originally a traditional dress worn by Egyptian women, the baladi dress has been adapted for belly dance performances. The dress often features a fitted bodice, a full skirt, and flared sleeves. The dress may be decorated with embroidery or beading and may have a slit in the skirt for ease of movement.
• Saidi Dress – The Saidi dress is a traditional dress worn by women in the Upper Egypt region and has also been adapted for belly dance performances. Similar to the baladi dress, it features a fitted bodice, and a full skirt, and may have a long veil or shawl. The dress is often adorned with embroidery and may have tassels or fringe on the skirt.
• Tribal Costume – Tribal belly dance is a modern fusion of traditional belly dance with other dance genres, such as flamenco and Indian dance. Tribal costumes are often layered with fabrics, belts, and jewelry, and typically feature earthy tones such as brown, green, and blue.

Different Styles of Belly Dance

Today there are many types of belly dance styles, each of which has its unique flavor and characteristics. Let's learn more about what a belly dance means and what is belly dance style.

Egyptian Belly Dance

Unlike some belly dance styles that focus on flashy moves and isolations, Egyptian belly dance takes a more subtle and sophisticated approach. It's all about smooth, flowing movements that originate from the core and travel through the hips and torso. This elegance has roots that stretch way back in Egyptian history, with some believing it connects to ancient social dances. One of the things that makes Egyptian belly dance so captivating is the layering of movements. Dancers build their performance by combining shimmies, which are rapid vibrations of the hips, with slow, rolling undulations that travel up and down the torso.

Turkish Belly Dance

This is a kind of tandem of a musician and a dancer. The costume is more restrained: skirts with a high waist, blouses covering the body, and legs, on the contrary, are open, heeled shoes are often used. Turkish belly dance is often accompanied by lively and upbeat music, such as Turkish folk music or modern pop songs. The costumes for Turkish belly dance are typically brightly colored and feature lots of fringe and sequins. Turkish belly dance is a fun and high-energy style such as folk dances that is sure to get the audience on their feet.

Lebanese Belly Dance

Lebanese belly dance takes a different approach compared to other styles. It prioritizes a more sensual and romantic mood, achieved through graceful, flowing movements. Similar to Egyptian belly dance, it features a lot of hip and torso undulations but adds delicate arm and hand movements that enhance the storytelling aspect. Lebanese belly dance is often accompanied by slow and melodic music, such as Lebanese folk songs or classical Arabic music. The costumes for Lebanese belly dance are typically flowy and elegant, often featuring long skirts or veils.

American Tribal Style (ATS)

American Tribal Style (ATS) is a modern style of belly dance that was created in the 1970s. It's a fusion explosion, mixing belly dance staples with moves from flamenco, Indian classical, and more. But the real magic lies in the group aspect. Tribal style belly dance is characterized by a strong group dynamic, with dancers often improvising movements together. It is often performed to a fusion of music styles, such as Middle Eastern rhythms with modern electronic beats. The costumes for ATS are often inspired by tribal cultures from around the world, featuring lots of earthy colors and natural materials.

Fusion Belly Dance

Fusion belly dance thrives on breaking boundaries. It's a modern playground where dancers mix traditional belly dance moves with anything that inspires them – contemporary dance, hip-hop's sharp isolations, and even the smooth flow of jazz. Dancers can weave in their own cultural background, personal style, or even a favorite pop star's moves. Fusion belly dance is often performed in a variety of music styles, from traditional Arabic music to modern pop songs.

Final Thoughts

Therefore, belly dance is not just a sensual dance as seen in the movies, but an enthralling dance with a strong cultural background originating from the Middle Eastern region. There are many styles of belly dance, but they all share some common ground: those beautiful, fluid movements of the torso and hips, and a deep connection to the music. Whether you're a fan of traditional Middle Eastern rhythms or want to shake it to modern electronic beats, there's a belly dance style for you. If you liked it, we recommend watching the video of the speeches on our website. You may also want to try yourself in this style!