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sedoniaraqs · 12-05-2007, 01:28 PM

They aren't traditional at all in Middle Eastern or North African cultures.

It dates from the ~ 1930's -1950's Hollywood Hays code which forbade showing the navel, so a loophole to still have harem girls half naked in fims was to glue a big jewel in the navel.

I think of them like tattoos. If you are a dancer who likes tattoos and piercings, then you will have tattoos and piercings. They reflect who you are, but should not be thought of as relating to Middle Eastern dance in any way.

Sedonia

12-05-2007, 01:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
sedoniaraqs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cultural wasteland of the midwestern US Posts: 574	They aren't traditional at all in Middle Eastern or North African cultures. It dates from the ~ 1930's -1950's Hollywood Hays code which forbade showing the navel, so a loophole to still have harem girls half naked in fims was to glue a big jewel in the navel. I think of them like tattoos. If you are a dancer who likes tattoos and piercings, then you will have tattoos and piercings. They reflect who you are, but should not be thought of as relating to Middle Eastern dance in any way. Sedonia Last edited by sedoniaraqs; 12-05-2007 at 01:39 PM. Reason: typos