History of Belly Dance

Who was the first Belly Dancer?

No one knows who the first Belly Dancer was or where she came from. Belly Dance (generic and misunderstood American term for Middle Eastern dances) is a fusion of several Middle Eastern dances and movements from the cradle of civilization that continues evolving, growing, and changing even today. Please remember there are dozens of different types of belly dance but they all have the same origins. Many historians believed Belly Dance was a dance passed down from generation to generation by mothers to their daughters as a sacred dance of fertility, most historians say it was a dance meant only for the eyes of woman (and not for a man to ever see). Belly dance eventually with the dawn of the Neolithic (settled age) went on to become the celebratory folk dancing done among women and men (separately) during events such as weddings and other segregated celebrations.

Where did Belly Dance come from?

Often one will hear someone say belly dance originated in Egypt, Turkey, or by the Rom(gypsies) but the truth is Belly dance has been influenced by many cultures, families and religious beliefs, Belly Dance will never cease to continue changing and growing. Even in recent years new Styles of belly dance have become commonly accepted as Belly Dance. Belly Dance is dance done several different ways and it is known by several names; Belly Dance to the Americans, Dans Oriental by the Turks, or Raqs Sharqi by the Egyptians. Whether you have been taught to call it Middle Eastern dance, dance of the orient, or just plain Belly Dance, it is a dance rich in history that should be studied and passed on to generations to come and never forced to stop evolving, that being said the history still should not be forgotten!
Some have said Belly Dance is as old as the drum and the drum is as old as the wheel, so please remember this is just a brief history and for more information please go to the links page.

What is Belly dance?

The word “belly dance” is the generic American term for Middle Eastern dances and also the American/European adaptations of Middle Eastern dances.
Belly Dance is an earthy yet feminine dance that fits perfectly to a women’s naturally curvy figure. It teaches muscle control, strength, posture, flexibility and rhythm. The moves utilize the entire body and are not isolations of just the stomach and hips.

Can anyone try Belly Dance?

Anyone can become a Belly Dancer; introverted or outgoing, tall or short, young or old, skinny or voluptuous, flat or curvaceous, the dance will look beautiful on your body and be a wonderful way to find self expression. Just remember to take classes with a qualified teacher who can work with you and your needs. Contact Suzy if you are interested in classes.

How did Middle Eastern dance become known as belly dance in America?

Belly Dance became more commonly known in America in 1893 at the Chicago World’s fair. Politian Sol Bloom “the music man” (1870-1949), then a young superintendent of construction and promoter of the Midway Plaisance at the World’s Columbian Exposition at the Chicago World’s fair. Bloom took the fully clothed Syrian dancers and placed them in a cultural show called "Street in Cairo" in the Egyptian theater. Bloom advertised “Egyptian dancers” performing “belly dance”, coining the term and bursting ticket sales when he forbid “proper” women to view the show. Bloom also wrote the tune “Streets of Cairo” also known as “Poor Little Country Maid” played as a hoochy koochy song on vaudeville with more than one dancer claiming to do the belly dance of the 1893 Chicago World Fair.

If in 1893 the “Street in Cairo show” did included a solo dancer with the assumed name “Little Egypt” then she was either Farida Mazar Spyropoulos nick-named "Fatima" or less likely the infamous Ashea Wabe whose stage name was Little Egypt. Both women performed an American Belly Dance considered at the time too sexual with exposed stomach and legs demonstrating the unheard of flexible movements done with the belly and hips that then shocked and amused the men of a corseted society. Back to FAQ

Link to sources

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