Technique
Most of the movements in belly dancing involve isolating different parts of the body (hips, shoulders, chest, stomach etc.), similar to the isolations used in jazz ballet. In much of bellydance there is a focus upon the core muscles of the body producing the movement rather than the external muscles of the body. Egyptian and Lebanese bellydance in particular emphasise the need for movemements to originate in the muscles of the back.
Important moves are:
- Shiver or Shimmy – a shimmering vibration, usually of the hips or shoulders. This vibration is usually layered onto other movements. A hip shimmy may be created by moving the knees past each other at high speed, or by contractions of the glutes or thighs. It is also possible to perform this using the muscles of the lower back. A shimmy may be done in different directions - up and down, side-to-side, or in a forward and back swinging motion.
- Hip hits – A staccato movement of the hips out from the body.
- Undulations – Fluid movements of the hips, chest or torso in a circular or rotating fashion. There are a wide variety of movements of this kind, of which the most well known is probably the rotating movements of the chest forward, up, back and down to create the impression of riding a camel.
[edit]Costume
In the West, the costume most associated with belly dance is the bedlah (Arabic for "suit"). It owes its creation to the Victorian painters of "Orientalism" and the early harem fantasy productions ofvaudeville, burlesque, and Hollywood, rather than to authentic Middle Eastern dress.
The bedlah style includes a fitted top or bra (usually with a fringe of beads or coins), a fitted hip belt (again with a fringe of beads or coins), and a skirt or harem pants. The bra and belt may be richly decorated with beads, sequins, braid and embroidery. The belt may be a separate piece, or sewn into a skirt.
Badia Masabni, a shrewd Lebanese, Cairo cabaret owner and dance instructor is credited with bringing the costume to Egypt, because it was the image that Western tourists wanted. She is also credited for modernizing the traditional belly dance. This style of belly dancing is considered "Lebanese" or Shami.
The hip belt is a broad piece of fabric worn low on the hips. It may have straight edge, or may be curved or angled. The bra usually matches the belt and does not resemble lingerie. The classic harem pants are full and gathered at the ankle, but there are many variations. Sometimes pants and a sheer skirt are worn together. Skirts may be flowing creations made of multiple layers of one color sheer fabric chiffon.
Since the 1950s, it has been illegal in Egypt for raqs sharqi dancers to perform publicly with their midriff uncovered [7] or to display excessive skin. It is therefore becoming more common to wear a long, figure-hugging lycra one-piece gown with strategically placed cut-outs filled in with sheer, flesh-coloured fabric. If a separate bra and skirt are worn, a belt is rarely used and any embellishment is embroidered directly on the tight, sleek lycra skirt. A sheer body stocking must be worn to cover the midsection. Egyptian dancers traditionally dance in bare feet, but these days often wear shoes and even high heels.
Khan al Khalili, the major traditional souk (open market) in Cairo, is the world's most popular spot for bellydance wear/Raqswear and continues to attract millions of visitors every year.
As there is no prohibition on showing the stomach in Lebanon, the bedleh style is more common. The skirts tend to be sheer, although many Lebanese belly dancers opt for the shirwal pants with a bra. The veil is more widely used and the veil matches the outfit. High heels are a trademark of Lebanese belly dancers.
Turkish dancers also wear bedleh style costumes. In the 80s and 90s a 'stripperesque' costume style developed, with skirts designed to display both legs up to the hip, and plunging bras. Such styles still exist in some venues but there are also many Turkish belly dancers who wear more moderate costumes. Even so, Turkish belly dance costumes reflect the playful, flirty style of Turkish belly dance.
Hallmarks of the classical "American" style include a headband with fringe, sheer harem pants or skirt rather than tight lycra, and the use of coins and metalwork to decorate the bra. However, it's also common for American dancers to buy their costumes by Egyptian costume designers.
For the folkloric and baladi dances, a full-length beledi dress or galabeyah is worn, with or without cutouts.
A typical American Tribal style costume has voluminous pants covered with one or more skirts and belts. The top is usually a coin bra with pieces hanging from it, and dancers wear flowers, headbands, metal headdresses, and other folkoric-inspired pieces in their hair. They also often wear bindis and sport large tattoos that travel around the hip and belly area.
Tribal fusion costumes are limited only by the imagination and reflect the styles being fused.
