lizaj

Sex, Belly Dance and the Afterlife | Belly Dance News & Events


saw this posted on Bhuz for discussion. Think you lot might like to have a read. I also recommend Andrea's comment.

Amazing how these lost artefacts keep turning up.

Mosaic

I can understand why it was hidden for so long, the prudery of the European women at that time definitely would've have prevented it being widely discussed or displayed.

I think it is wonderful that these artifacts keep turning up. It allows us to see the many facets of life in Ancient Egypt and other societies where ancient manuscripts etc come to light.

I do think that Ancient societies were far more realistic about sex and the enjoyment thereof. I don't see why it wouldn't be portrayed on manuscripts, or whatever. I can see how dance (whether the precursor of BD or not) would be part of the 'partying'. I can't give an answer as to whether it was a form of BD or at least where some of the movements originated from, but I would think it is very likely.

I do think the dance is sensuous, and can be quite sexy, but generally it is a refined sexiness. I don't see why it can't be sexy as isn't that the nature of humans,surely attracting the opposite sex is an innate thing. Many forms of dance are for enjoyment and also act as a stimulus.

You can be sexy without being sleazy and that I think is the whole story - sexy/sensuous but absolutely not sleazy. I doubt whether Ancient dancers whether from Egypt or elsewhere were considered sleazy, it was the prudish foreigners who made everything appear sleazy and not fit to be seen except secretly behind closed and hidden doors.
~Mosaic

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khanjar

Perhaps it would be a good exercise to keep on rediscovering ancient texts and there look at them again in a the new light of increased knowledge, as who is to say what ancient texts that have been theorised on, where done correctly. As the years pass, knowledge becomes more widespread and more educated, surely what of the past can perhaps be reinterpreted. Also not to forget that which has been interpreted or theorised, might have taken on the politics and beliefs of the interpreter.

For example if a text or item was found in antiquity and there placed in a museum or private collection and labelled as in the best knowledge at the time as a bird model, would that bird model resemble a bird model in our present eyes, knowing what we know now, or would it resemble something else;

Egypt: A Sailplane in Ancient Egypt

And for the interest of the skeptics, the translation of Vedic texts is revealing more reference to flight in ancient times.

Just because an unequivocal object has not been found, it is not a reason to say it did not exist, the world holds many secrets.

I just wonders, just what is secreted away in the vaults of the Vatican libraries, maybe answers to eternal questions.

And on the subject of sex, I would like to know, just what is the problem with it, for it is the prerequisite of all life, past, present and future,( In the case of the later, one hopes so ). A thought maybe, the prudishness that is exhibited by those who have chosen to destroy or hide items depicting sexual acts, have done so, because they do not wish to be reminded that they are in actual fact just animals, with animalistic ways and means, not the elevated species they thought or were taught they were.

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Eve

I fail to see the relevancy for the modern dancer. I'd take a wild stab in the dark and say that most ancient cultures had dances that are connected to fertility, for crops and people.

Is the Karma Sutra the blueprint for what we know as Bollywood? Doubt it.


Though it is interesting reading.

Sita

I agree v. interesting I also enjoyed Andrea's comment. The site mentioned a article by her soon to be published - does anyone know when it will be published on the site?

Sita

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