Belly Dancing Lebanon
Visiting Lebanon throughout my childhood and having nationalistic parents who encapsulated everything Lebanese within a western culture; I constantly took part of endless ‘family gatherings’ where food, drinks, music and more importantly dancing was the focus.
My childhood is dotted with memories of simple barbeque turned into a full rage “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” ensemble time and time again. Growing up in the US, I was embarrassed by my parents’ non conformity to the American western ways. However, despite the embarrassment, shock, and confusion I learned that these moments were truly the best. When simple BBQ nights turn into a belly dancing marathon, then you know being Middle Eastern fun and entertaining in itself.
I grew up with belly dancing. It was the normal way of dancing and tying anything you can get your hands on was the rule of thumb. But never had I actually thought of belly dancing the act and social constraints and stereotypes that is associated with the simple act that I partake in every family event.
Belly Dancing originated in India over 5,000 years ago yet is a decent from Egyptian times where belly dancing was considered a social dance. However, because of traditional gender segregation in the Middle East women usually danced in female company among friends, segregated from men. During the Ottoman Empire belly dancing was performed by both men and women in the Sultans palace
It wasn’t long until belly dancing was brought to the west and more specifically to the US in 1893. The French had referred to the dance as ‘dance du ventre,’ which translates to stomach dance and is what we know it as today as belly dancing and was coined belly dancing by westerners.
In 1893 Egypt participated in Chicago World Fair to dance the “hoochy koochy.” However, this dance was brought to the US during the Victorian time where you could be arrested and fined for dancing-the dance that was called “shimmy and shake.” Fatima Coochee Coochee in 1896 was the first ever censored dancing women. In the late 19th century exposing or referring to any part of the human body was socially unacceptable. The term ’belly dance” was scandalous.
The next several decades a burlesque carnival sideshow seen as a erotic dance gave belly dance a questionable reputation.
Later Hollywood took a part in shaping the beginning of belly dancing by taking part in shaping the outfit of belly dancing and popularizing the dance. Originally there was no specific belly dancing outfit. In fact, original belly dancing outfits consistent of fabric and layers of traditional garb. Originally a scarf or belt was tied around the hip to highlights movements
Belly dancing itself was seen in terms of three major roles. The first role, is that of being a slave to be saved. The second instances, we see belly dancers as a background dancer to the main characters. The third, role is that of a deceitful women who uses her sexuality to charm.
With that being said, we can see how there lies specific gender roles within belly dancing. Belly dancing deals with the issue of gender, power, femininity, and sexuality. The idealization of a woman functioning to please male fantasies and egos is a concept inherited from a patriarchal society.
Some negative gender associates include the fact that dance embodies many stereotypes
The creativity and artistry of the solo performer are able to transpose the poser relationship implied however; the dancer constructs her own concept of femaleness through her own concept. This performance requires imaginative collaboration between the artist and the audience. The costume of the belly dancer is a vital feature of collaboration. The image and experience can be interpreted representation the dancer not as a person but instead as an idealization of women functioning to please men.
There are different forms and types of belly dancing throughout the Middle East. For example, in Turkey belly dancers do not drop or shimmy whereas in Lebanon, seductive, dancing with drops and shimmies are the norm.
Belly dancing has become part of international pop culture. Its rich controversial history contributes to its multifaceted world community which helped shape it. It can provide ways to express oneself, serve as a workout, or spiritual practice. As we move into a new age with its traditional of interrogation and breaking free of societal constraints which can help guide and design the process at work in the art of belly dancing we need to look at belly dancing as a way for self-expression; breaking free from the constraining gender stereotypes.
