Navel jewels?

Brea · 12-05-2007, 04:19 AM

Hi,

I was wondering just how traditional navel jewels are, and what tradition they stem from? I've never seen anyone wear one.

-Brea Morgiane

adiemus · 12-05-2007, 06:29 AM

I've got a belly button piercing - I love it! But I got it because I love it, not for dancing...

karena · 12-05-2007, 08:46 AM

I have one too. Had it years, nothing to do with dancing. I think there is a thread somewhere discussing it as I remember hearing people talk about traditional myths and their roots. Within the past few months I think.

Mya · 12-05-2007, 10:44 AM

i've heard that they're just a part of the hollywood fantasy image of the dancer. i've also heard that it was used to cover the belly button because it was illegal for it to be seen. i don't know how true any of it is

Zahrah · 12-05-2007, 01:25 PM

You're on the right track, Mya. In the early 1900's the Arabian and "Sheik" themed movies were popular and a jewel covering the navel was the way they got around the censors.

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

Maria_Aya · 12-05-2007, 02:10 PM

If i see a dancer that actual dance Egyptian style having a navel Jewel I'll find it extremly distracting !!!
Actual I havent seen any egyptian dancer having one till now.
With other dance styles its ok and adds also, special when i think Tribal Fussion.

maria aya

Brea · 12-05-2007, 04:31 PM

I doubt I will be wearing one...are they piercings or are they attached otherwise? Why would dancers still wear them (or do they) if it is based on something silly from the movies?

-Brea Morgiane

Maria_Aya · 12-05-2007, 04:56 PM

Fashion and trend

sstacy123 · 12-05-2007, 06:08 PM

Shira talks about them in a faq

Dear Shira: A Jewel In The Navel?

12-05-2007, 04:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Navel jewels? Hi, I was wondering just how traditional navel jewels are, and what tradition they stem from? I've never seen anyone wear one. -Brea Morgiane __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

12-05-2007, 06:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	I've got a belly button piercing - I love it! But I got it because I love it, not for dancing... __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

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

12-05-2007, 02:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Maria_Aya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 2,246	If i see a dancer that actual dance Egyptian style having a navel Jewel I'll find it extremly distracting !!! Actual I havent seen any egyptian dancer having one till now. With other dance styles its ok and adds also, special when i think Tribal Fussion. maria aya __________________ ... www.orientalexpression.gr

12-05-2007, 04:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	I doubt I will be wearing one...are they piercings or are they attached otherwise? Why would dancers still wear them (or do they) if it is based on something silly from the movies? -Brea Morgiane __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

12-05-2007, 08:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
karena Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The North, UK Posts: 820	I have one too. Had it years, nothing to do with dancing. I think there is a thread somewhere discussing it as I remember hearing people talk about traditional myths and their roots. Within the past few months I think.

12-05-2007, 10:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mya Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 594	i've heard that they're just a part of the hollywood fantasy image of the dancer. i've also heard that it was used to cover the belly button because it was illegal for it to be seen. i don't know how true any of it is

12-05-2007, 01:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zahrah Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 25	You're on the right track, Mya. In the early 1900's the Arabian and "Sheik" themed movies were popular and a jewel covering the navel was the way they got around the censors.

12-05-2007, 04:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Maria_Aya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 2,246	Fashion and trend __________________ ... www.orientalexpression.gr

12-05-2007, 06:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
sstacy123 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Birmingham, Alabama, USA Posts: 487	Shira talks about them in a faq Dear Shira: A Jewel In The Navel?