Belly Dance Forums - View Single Post - Dina worries about the future of belly dancing in Egypt

khanjar · 07-02-2008, 02:50 PM

Ok, why not in the west do dancers not start adopting a more conservative approach to the dance in their costume, perhaps move towards how it was in the past as a folk dance in Egypt, i.e. dance covered up.

What the media industry has done in the west has brought us this dance, but it was wrong in the way the dance was portrayed, perhaps even insulting to the originating countries. Given that most western ME dancers know the history, and where it is wrong, they should be ok with doing things the right way, now they know there is a right way.

From what I would like to understand is ME dance is about dance, not the appearance of the dancer. If dancers danced covered, this would weed out the people that see ME dance as an ogle fest and perhaps if the west is seen to be covering up, this might send better signals to the originating countries, and they might be a little more lenient, in that it might stimulate more of an interest, because it does not insult religious beliefs too much.

Public dance I do understand is a no no with certain religious beliefs, but there are different levels of those beliefs, as has been demonstrated in the past. Human nature usually is effective at leveling ideas, balancing things out, Lanes book is very helpful in showing the balance that existed before, in one originating country.

Though I have no plans to do this, as I am essentially a very private person, if it ever came to myself being on an acceptable level as to dance publicly and I had overcome my confidence issues, it would not my interest to be part of a flesh fest, and I would research a suitable costume to suit my requirements. To dance, is my interest for me, not my wish to entertain others, they don't like it, they can continue to fiddle with their cell phones.

07-02-2008, 02:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
khanjar Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 442	Ok, why not in the west do dancers not start adopting a more conservative approach to the dance in their costume, perhaps move towards how it was in the past as a folk dance in Egypt, i.e. dance covered up. What the media industry has done in the west has brought us this dance, but it was wrong in the way the dance was portrayed, perhaps even insulting to the originating countries. Given that most western ME dancers know the history, and where it is wrong, they should be ok with doing things the right way, now they know there is a right way. From what I would like to understand is ME dance is about dance, not the appearance of the dancer. If dancers danced covered, this would weed out the people that see ME dance as an ogle fest and perhaps if the west is seen to be covering up, this might send better signals to the originating countries, and they might be a little more lenient, in that it might stimulate more of an interest, because it does not insult religious beliefs too much. Public dance I do understand is a no no with certain religious beliefs, but there are different levels of those beliefs, as has been demonstrated in the past. Human nature usually is effective at leveling ideas, balancing things out, Lanes book is very helpful in showing the balance that existed before, in one originating country. Though I have no plans to do this, as I am essentially a very private person, if it ever came to myself being on an acceptable level as to dance publicly and I had overcome my confidence issues, it would not my interest to be part of a flesh fest, and I would research a suitable costume to suit my requirements. To dance, is my interest for me, not my wish to entertain others, they don't like it, they can continue to fiddle with their cell phones. __________________ I am a dream to some...and a nightmare to others.