Belly dance

History  The name “Belly Dance” derived from a French phrase dance du ventre or “dance of the stomach”  Belly dance is a fusion of dances from the Middle East. Also known as the “oriental dance” and on Arabic speaking countries, it is known as rasks sharqui.

Origins  Belly dance is considered one of the oldest dances in ancient history.  There are Egyptian artwork and hieroglyphics dated to 25,000 BC with similarities between poses and the modern dance moves.  There are records of belly dancing from 1600’s during the Middle Eastern Empires.

 The roots of belly dancing are believed to be related with Temple Religious dances or ritual, focusing on goddess worship and/or fertility.  The hip movements imitate the contractions the women have during child birth.  Belly dancing was also a considered a form of health Roots

 300 years ago European travelers described several dances throughout their trips to Egypt, Turkey and other Middle East countries and recorded dances that had similarities to belly dancing.  Gypsies also called Romany originally from India and spoke Hindi- based language.  Gypsies tribes started promoting belly dancing throughout Afghanistan, Persia, North Africa, Turkey and Egypt.  Gypsies would dance and use their skills to obtain monetary compensation while belly dancing as a form of public entertainment. SPREAD

BELLY DANCE DESCRIPTION  Belly dance is identified by swaying of hips, undulating torso with dynamic and emotional expressions.  Belly dance celebrates life, Birth and Creativity  Belly dance celebrates Women  Belly dance celebrates Beauty  Belly dance celebrates the Body

DESCRIPTION  Belly Dance is made of various movements and the basics are:  Hip twists Snake Arms  Hip Lifts Head Slide  Hip Bumps Shimmy  Rolling Hips Ribcage Circle  

Costumes styles  Turkish Style  Egyptian Style  American Fantasy Style

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