Belly dancing originated in ancient Egypt. When archaeologists began to unearth the ancient Egyptian tombs, they found scenes with belly dancers painted onto those old, buried containers. Belly dancing received the name "Rags Sharqi" in Arabic and "Orayantal dansi" in Turkish. Westerners sometimes called it "the dance of the east."
Americans first saw belly dancing at the World's Fair in 1893. That Fair, which took place in Chicago, had a number of exhibits focused on Middle Eastern culture. Some of what the Americans saw that year had been first viewed by Napoleon and his army. Napoleon had seen belly dancing after his army marched into Egypt. Like some of the other items at the World's Fair, "the dance of the east" had failed to leave a great impression on Napoleon.
Thomas Edison became intrigued by the improvisational dance called belly dancing. He included belly dancers in some of the films that he made in the 1890s. Later Hollywood's use of belly dancing dictated that the dancer should serve one of three purposes: the act of a slave, a background element or an interest pursued by a deceitful woman.
Even now in the 21st Century Hollywood continues to focus on the foreign and supposedly evil aspects of belly dancing. Of course that could change if some members of the Hollywood community decide to take-up belly dancing. As more and more immigrants from Middle Eastern countries arrive in Los Angeles, and as some of them seek to offer classes in belly dancing, the on-screen image of that dance could then change. Such changed image would lead to alter the way that society perceives the very flexible belly dancer.
Americans first saw belly dancing at the World's Fair in 1893. That Fair, which took place in Chicago, had a number of exhibits focused on Middle Eastern culture. Some of what the Americans saw that year had been first viewed by Napoleon and his army. Napoleon had seen belly dancing after his army marched into Egypt. Like some of the other items at the World's Fair, "the dance of the east" had failed to leave a great impression on Napoleon.
Thomas Edison became intrigued by the improvisational dance called belly dancing. He included belly dancers in some of the films that he made in the 1890s. Later Hollywood's use of belly dancing dictated that the dancer should serve one of three purposes: the act of a slave, a background element or an interest pursued by a deceitful woman.
Even now in the 21st Century Hollywood continues to focus on the foreign and supposedly evil aspects of belly dancing. Of course that could change if some members of the Hollywood community decide to take-up belly dancing. As more and more immigrants from Middle Eastern countries arrive in Los Angeles, and as some of them seek to offer classes in belly dancing, the on-screen image of that dance could then change. Such changed image would lead to alter the way that society perceives the very flexible belly dancer.
- Belly dancing originated in ancient Egypt
- America was first introduced to belly dancing at the world's fair in 1893
- In Arabic, belly dancing is known as Rags Sharqu
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