Bellydance {raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقص شرقي‎)}

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Bellydance {raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقص شرقي‎)}

All about Bellydance, origins, regions, styles, costumes and how to.

Members: 33
Latest Activity: Jan 9, 2014

Belly dance or Bellydance is a Western-coined name for a traditional Middle Eastern dance, especially raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقص شرقي‎). It is sometimes also called Middle Eastern dance or Arabic dance in the West, or by the Greco-Turkish term çiftetelli (Greek: τσιφτετέλι).

The term "Belly dance" is a translation of the french "danse du ventre" which was applied to the dance in the Victorian period. It is something of a misnomer as every part of the body is involved in the dance; the most featured body part usually being the hips. Belly dance takes many different forms depending on country and region, both in costume and dance style;; and new styles have evolved in the West as its popularity has spread globally. Although contemporary forms of the dance have generally been performed by women, some of the dances, particularly the cane dance, have origins in male forms of performance.

* Raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقص شرقي‎; literally "oriental dance") is the style more familiar to Westerners, performed in restaurants and cabarets around the world. It is more commonly performed by female dancers but is also sometimes danced by men. It is a solo improvisational dance, although students often perform choreographed dances in a group.

* Raqs baladi, (Arabic: رقص بلدي‎; literally "dance of country", or "folk" dance) is the folkloric style, danced socially by men and women of all ages in some Middle Eastern countries, usually at festive occasions such as weddings.
Bellydance Pictures, Images and Photos

Belly dancing arose from various dancing styles which were performed in the middle east and north african regions. One theory is that belly dance may have roots in the ancient Arab tribal religions as a dance to the goddess of fertility. Some claim that in pre-islamic Arabia, Ishmeali arab women were the first people to perform this type of dance as part of religious rites to Hubal the moon god. A third theory is that belly dance was always danced as entertainment. Some belly dance historians believe that the movements of dancing girls depicted in carvings in Pharaonic times are typical of belly dancing. As the term belly dance has come to refer to a wide variety of dance practices, predominantly performed by independent female dancers, it is very difficult for any single claim to be upheld.

Another theory is that belly dance was originally danced by women for women in the Levant, and North Africa. The book "Dancer of Shamahka" is widely cited, it is a romanticized memoir written by a modern author, Armen Ohanian, published in 1918. In Middle Eastern society two specific belly dance movements have been used in childbirth for generations.

Because Belly dance derives from individual performance, it has a diverse history of origin, and continues to evolve to this day. Some suggest that belly dance shares origins from migrating peoples from all around the borders of the Mediterranean, resulting in the similarities that can be seen between 'belly dance' in Egypt, India, Turkey, Greece, and North African and Spanish traditional dance forms.

Belly dance was popularized in the West during the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, when Orientalist artists depicted romanticized images of harem life in the Ottoman Empire. Around this time, dancers from Middle Eastern countries began to perform at various World Fairs, often drawing crowds in numbers that rivaled those for the science and technology exhibits. It was during this period that the term oriental or eastern dancing is first used. Several dancers, including the French author Colette, engaged in "oriental" dancing, sometimes passing off their own interpretations as authentic. There was also the pseudo-Javanese dancer Mata Hari, convicted in 1917 by the French for being a German spy.

Egyptian forms of bellydance, alongside the development of Egyptian music, were heavily influenced by the presence of European colonial forces, and increasing urbanisation in Egypt. This resulted in variations in the dance brought in by influences as diverse as marching bands, and the visits the Russian ballet. Many of the aspects recognisable as belly dance today in fact derive from these cross cultural hybrids.

Any or all of these factors may have contributed to the development of belly dance as we know it today.

The Middle East (Near East, Southwest Asia) has a rich and varied tradition of dance, spanning the entire Arab world, Cyprus, Anatolia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and also much of Central Asia and South Asia. "Belly dance," is sometimes used in the West as a blanket term for oriental dance in general, but is more correctly used to describe raqs sharqi, which is only one of the many styles encompassed within Middle Eastern dances performed by both men and women.

Discussion Forum

“Tribal Ecstatic Dance Experience Weekend” Sept 22-25th, 2011

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Aug 29, 2011.

The Veil and Oriental Dance

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 26, 2011.

Oriental Dance: A Dance For The Whole Family by Shira

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 26, 2011.

What is Belly Dance?

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 25, 2011.

Belly Dance History ~ An American Odessey - by Helen Waldie

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 25, 2011.

Stretching, Warming Up, and Preventing Injuries - by Elayssa

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 25, 2011.

Naming the Dance By Amara / L. Osweiler

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 25, 2011.

Egyptian Belly Dance by Anuradha Muralidharan

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

Put Together a Belly Dance Performance Bag by Susan Caplan

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

Body Acceptance in Belly Dance: Is a Bare Belly Mandatory? by Meredith Rankin

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

Putting Together a Dynamic Belly Dance Costume by Susan Caplan

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

The Sacred Shapes of Belly Dance by Susan Caplan

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

Belly Dance Practice Wear by Jennifer Thorimbert

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

How to Belly Dance by Francine Morrissette

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 24, 2011.

Belly Dance to Better Health by Laurie Hodges Humble

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 23, 2011.

The Art of Belly Dance by Diana Petrucci

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 23, 2011.

Belly Dancing for Health by Esosa Edosomwan

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 23, 2011.

Comeback of the Male Belly Dancers by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 23, 2011.

Why is Belly Dancing So Popular? by Francine Morrissette

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 23, 2011.

Movement Formula for Belly Dance Practice by Susan Caplan

Started by Dept of PMM Artists & things Feb 23, 2011.

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Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on April 13, 2012 at 1:32pm
Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on March 29, 2012 at 12:48pm
Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on March 20, 2012 at 2:16pm

TRIBAL AT THE NILE

East meets West
April 14th 2012
Nile Bar and Grill Bakersfield CA

An amazing show hosted in a beautifully restored theater.
All forms of dance, bellydance or not welcome.
visit facebook Tribalat TheNile or www.tribalatthenile.com for details
Registration open until April 1
Vending, workshops with Mandala Dance Works, and April Rose, Roxy
Full bar and wonderful food. Door Prizes, and give aways !
After party to close the night.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on March 16, 2012 at 1:03pm

271655 The Paintings of Christian Jequel

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on March 16, 2012 at 12:26pm

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on February 20, 2012 at 1:14pm

Miami Bellydance Convention 2011 Choreography by Daniela Music by the Andrew Sisters military and vintage inspired bellydance

Comment by Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler on July 23, 2011 at 1:07pm

BlackSheep Belly Dance Level 1 Classes
Tuesdays: August 2nd -- September 27th
6:30pm -- 7:45pm

Learn basic movements which provide a foundation for Black Sheep Tribal Style; How to play finger cymbals; Gain new friends, build self-confidence, strength, musicality and much more!
All while having FUN! Are You Ready?

For more information visit www.RetroRaqs.com

Full 8-week Series: $80
Drop-in Class: $15

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on February 23, 2011 at 11:39am

 

Nina Barkis oriental dancer

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on February 23, 2011 at 11:39am

Bella Otero, Paris 1901

 

"La Bella Otero" (The beatiful Otero),
disguished as a belly dancer
Paris, 1901

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on February 23, 2011 at 11:38am

Oriental dancer postcard

 
 
 

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Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries had its humble beginnings as an idea of a few artisans and craftsmen who enjoy performing with live steel fighting. As well as a patchwork quilt tent canvas. Most had prior military experience hence the name.

 

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries.

 

Vendertainers that brought many things to a show and are know for helping out where ever they can.

As well as being a place where the older hand made items could be found made by them and enjoyed by all.

We expanded over the years to become well known at what we do. Now we represent over 100 artisans and craftsman that are well known in their venues and some just starting out. Some of their works have been premiered in TV, stage and movies on a regular basis.

Specializing in Medieval, Goth , Stage Film, BDFSM and Practitioner.

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries a Dept of, Ask For IT was started by artists and former military veterans, and sword fighters, representing over 100 artisans, one who made his living traveling from fair to festival vending medieval wares. The majority of his customers are re-enactors, SCAdians and the like, looking to build their kit with period clothing, feast gear, adornments, etc.

Likewise, it is typical for these history-lovers to peruse the tent (aka mobile store front) and, upon finding something that pleases the eye, ask "Is this period?"

A deceitful query!! This is not a yes or no question. One must have a damn good understanding of European history (at least) from the fall of Rome to the mid-1600's to properly answer. Taking into account, also, the culture in which the querent is dressed is vitally important. You see, though it may be well within medieval period, it would be strange to see a Viking wearing a Caftan...or is it?

After a festival's time of answering weighty questions such as these, I'd sleep like a log! Only a mad man could possibly remember the place and time for each piece of kitchen ware, weaponry, cloth, and chain within a span of 1,000 years!! Surely there must be an easier way, a place where he could post all this knowledge...

Traveling Within The World is meant to be such a place. A place for all of these artists to keep in touch and directly interact with their fellow geeks and re-enactment hobbyists, their clientele.

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