Belly dance
History
The name “Belly Dance” derived from a French phrase dance du
ventre or “dance of the stomach”
Belly dance is a fusion of dances from the Middle East. Also
known as the “oriental dance” and on Arabic speaking countries, it is
known as rasks sharqui.
Origins
Belly dance is considered one of the oldest dances in ancient
history.
There are Egyptian artwork and hieroglyphics dated to 25,000 BC
with similarities between poses and the modern dance moves.
There are records of belly dancing from 1600’s during the Middle
Eastern Empires.
Roots
The roots of belly dancing are believed to be related with Temple
Religious dances or ritual, focusing on goddess worship and/or
fertility.
The hip movements imitate the contractions the women have
during child birth.
Belly dancing was also a considered a form of health
SPREAD
300 years ago European travelers described several dances
throughout their trips to Egypt, Turkey and other Middle East
countries and recorded dances that had similarities to belly dancing.
Gypsies also called Romany originally from India and spoke Hindi-
based language.
Gypsies tribes started promoting belly dancing throughout
Afghanistan, Persia, North Africa, Turkey and Egypt.
Gypsies would dance and use their skills to obtain monetary
compensation while belly dancing as a form of public entertainment.
BELLY DANCE DESCRIPTION
Belly dance is identified by swaying of hips, undulating torso with
dynamic and emotional expressions.
Belly dance celebrates life, Birth and Creativity
Belly dance celebrates Women
Belly dance celebrates Beauty
Belly dance celebrates the Body
4/13/2015
DESCRIPTION
Belly Dance is made of various movements and the basics are:
Hip twists
Snake Arms
Hip Lifts
Head Slide
Hip Bumps
Shimmy
Rolling Hips
Ribcage Circle

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uuBPmnrUrM
4/13/2015
Costumes styles
Turkish Style
Egyptian Style
American Fantasy Style
evolution