Oriental dance history and origin

Oriental dance awakens the senses, makes hearts beat faster, and tells ancient stories filled with grace and mystery. Since ancient times, it has been a symbol of femininity and self-expression. Nevertheless, what is the origin and history behind this captivating feminine dance?

Let us delve into the history of belly dance and discover its cultural roots, contemporary practices, and often overlooked realities.

Oriental dance history:

Belly dance, or oriental dance, is an art steeped in history, originating in Egypt and mainly present in the Middle East. It is a dance, which has conquered the world. It’s practiced essentially by women, Although it elicits mixed reactions in Egypt today, it is in the West that it has found refuge, charming millions of enthusiasts.

This ancient practice has its roots in Egypt and Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and even Greece. Some claim it dates back to ancestral fertility rituals, blending religion and esotericism. Reliable accounts of its past remain rare, leaving a multitude of legends and myths surrounding its evolution.

In 1926 Badia Masabni, a Syrian actress and dancer, opened the greatest cabaret in Cairo, Hiring the greatest musicians, composers, dancers and choreographers. Offering regular performances and established the first sanctuaries for this form of expression. Although Egyptian dance now dominates classes and performances, this would not have been possible without the fame achieved by Egyptian dancers when Cairo became the capital of this form of performance in the 1930s. Oriental dancers of this era, like Samia Gamal, were trained by classical ballet instructors, masterfully merging oriental grace, embodied by the movements of the pelvis and trunk, with stage movements such as displacements, arabesques, and turns.

Arabic dance, Belly dance and Egyptian dance different meanings

Oriental dance is an ancient art that captivates with its captivating sensuality and divine grace. It is essential to distinguish between belly dance, Arabic dance, and Egyptian dance, as each embodies its own distinct identity and characteristics.

Belly dance encompasses a variety of styles from various countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It evokes undulating movements of the hips, abdomen, and arms, enhancing the beauty and fluidity of the female body. Oriental dance, through its rhythms, style, and interpretation reflects the mosaic of cultures that have nurtured it.

Arabic dance, on the other hand, brings together the multiple expressions of dance practiced in specific Arab countries, such as Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, etc. Each country has its own distinct styles and techniques, but all share common elements rooted in the richness of Arab culture. Arabic dance is characterized by footwork and expressive hand gestures.

Egyptian dance, as its name suggests, is specific to Egypt and does not designate a specific dance style or gender-specific dance, since men also dance the "Saidi" for example.

The Different Styles of Belly Dance

The various styles of this dance reflect the rich traditions and cultural diversity that surround it. Each movement tells a story, and each style expresses a distinct emotion.

Folk Dances: Baladi and Shaabi

Baladi:

When a baladi oriental dancer begins to move, she wears her everyday attire, or a "galabeya," a loose, ornate traditional dress, accompanied by a simple scarf around her hips. Her gestures are powerful and her feet firmly grounded. Her pelvis swings heavily, while her arms are constantly moving, always moving closer to her body, with a predominance of fluid, undulating movements.

Shaabi:

This folk dance style is a vibrant heritage that is mainly expressed in the country of Morocco. Moroccan shaabi music and dance are characterized by a rapid rhythm and movements, particularly of the hips, the head and shoulders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDqLvV25O0U&t=35s

Qaada is a great example, somewhat similar to flamenco, but with faster and more complicated rhythms. In fact, there are recent flamenco performances feature qaada dancers.

Classical Oriental Dance

Classical oriental dance, known as Raqs Sharqi, is a metamorphosis of traditional baladi. Each graceful movement, each arm gesture, each delicately executed demi-pointe, transports dancers and spectators into a captivating world. Spins and arabesques fill the stage, revealing a perfect mastery of bodily expression. Whether performed is a solo or in a group, this dance fills the stage with a hypnotic presence. At its inception, this new dance style was inspired by the glitz of Hollywood and the magic of the Russian ballets. It was also during this period that the famous two-piece costume and the use of the veil appeared, adding a mystical dimension to this sensual dance.

Folk Dances

Regional folk dances are a symphony of rhythms, spontaneous and passionate movements, uniting communities during festivities.

The Saidi:

Originating from southern Egypt, this male dance was once practiced by shepherds. It combines the power of the stick with graceful movements. Today, women perform this dance with elegance, sometimes without a stick, sometimes with a cane. Actually, it is also performer by a male-female couple.

Haggalah:

Another captivating facet of Egyptian folklore, based on varying rhythms, transports spectators into a whirlwind of emotions, reflecting the strength and grace of these nomadic women.

Fellahi:

A peasant dance, a testament to the grace and vitality of those who work the land. The dancers' long, flowing dresses swirl gracefully, capturing the essence of the peasants' daily lives.

Melaya:

The oriental dancer, wrapped in a veil, moves with captivating sensuality, playing with the audience and captivating every gaze. Two styles, Alexandrian and Cairo, offer a variety of movements and expressions.

Ghawazee:

A Gypsy dance that blends grace and mystery. The rapid, jerky movements of the hips transport spectators into a whirlwind of sensations.

The list is far from exhaustive, and we can cite Khaliji dances, specific to the Middle East, such as the Dabkeh (Lebanon/Syria and Palestine).

The Alaoui dance in Algeria; the Raggada in eastern Morocco, a highly rhythmic dance performed by men with foot and shoulder movements. The Ahouach dances in Morocco, rich in polyrhythms and extravagant jumps. The Hassani dance in southern Morocco, rich in hand and arm gestures.

Each of these folk dances is a vibrant tribute to the history, tradition, and passion of its people, and testifies to the diversity and beauty of dance in each country.

Modern Styles: Fusions

Fusions have become increasingly popular, seamlessly blending belly dance with other captivating styles such as oriental flamenco, oriental tango, and tribal. These fusions create a unique artistic experience, gracefully combining the distinctive rhythms and movements of each style. International pop singers have drawn inspiration from oriental dance in their shows and music videos, such as Shakira or Meriem Fares for the Arab world.

History of belly dancers: The Divas of Belly Dance

Throughout history, extraordinary women have thrilled the world of oriental dance with their ethereal bodies and captivating steps. Like stars, they have left an indelible mark on the artistic scene. Among these legendary dancers, here are some of the most sublime:

Samia Gamal:

Like a captivating muse, Samia dazzled the stages of Cairo, transforming the art of dance into a new era of grace and virtuosity. Originally, from Upper Egypt, she found her calling through dance in Cairo, where she met Badia Masabni, the woman who shaped her destiny.

In addition to being an oriental dancer perhaps the most graceful of all time, Samia was also a skilled actor. Her performance in the musical "Je t'aime toi" (I Love You) proves it: She dances styles such as the rumba very well and performs ballet lifts. She had a sad love affair with the famous musician, composer, and musical producer Farid al-Atrach, with whom she performed in musicals such as "Bissat Errih." Farid's family, of noble Syrian origin, did not allow this marriage to a dancer. Afterward, she married an American and lived in the United States. She performerd in many films, including "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," shot in Morocco with actor Fernandel in the lead role. She was heavily exploited by her husband, and eventually divorced and returned to Egypt penniless.

Soheir Zaki

Nagwa Fouad

These inspiring women have transcended borders, elevating belly dance to an art form of unparalleled beauty, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy for dancers around the world.

By exploring the myths and realities surrounding it, we realize that this dance is much more than just an artistic performance. Belly dance is an invitation to celebrate the beauty and diversity of cultures, to embrace femininity in all its facets, and to recognize the liberating power of artistic expression.

Fifi Abdou:

From a young age, Fifi dreamed of following in the footsteps of Samia Gamal and Taheya Carioca. At the age of 12, she joined a small folk troupe, seeking a self-taught school in traditional festivities to forge her own style. Her talent quickly dazzled the 1970s, making Fifi a force of nature who gracefully embodied a relaxed style, blending humor and unparalleled popularity.

Badia Masabni:

Thanks to the passionate leadership of this exceptional woman of Syrian-Lebanese descent, oriental dance and Egyptian cabaret underwent extraordinary growth. Through her incredible creation, the "Casino-Opera," she offered Cairo sumptuous performances, brilliantly blending East and West. Badia had a bold vision: she wanted to elevate dance to a new level of sophistication. She introduced innovative elements such as a grandiose set, a more expansive use of space, and a rich technical vocabulary, borrowing from folklore and classical dance. She also revolutionized the costumes by infusing the very essence of the veil and sequined outfits, drawing inspiration from Hollywood glamour. Many performing artists made their debut with Badiaa, including Taheya Carioca (dancer), Farid al-Atrache (musician, singer, and actor), and Ismail Yassine (comedian and comedian). Naima Akef

Taheya Carioca:

Her debut in Cairo clubs propelled her to the height of popularity thanks to her exceptional dance technique and dazzling beauty. Through her breathtaking performances in Egyptian films shown around the world, she brought oriental dance to the forefront of the world.