Naked Ladies: Belly Dancers of Ancient Egypt
As a child growing up in Turkey, belly dancing was a big part of the 'dress up and play' life of every little girl, and most girls learnt how to dance either from their mums or other women in the family. At gatherings such as weddings and parties, women would rush to show off their talents to the rhythm of the drum-based oriental music. Even now, many young women practice the ancient dance, often in modern guise. Perhaps modern divas like Shakira have something to do with it.
Described as the 'world's oldest dance', over the years, belly dancing has became a very sensual display, practised by scantily-clad dancers draped in silk, tassles, and sparkles, with their belly - the central part of the dancer - exposed. Now most commonly associated with Turkey and Egypt, the roots of the dance are nebulous. From where did these sensual moves originate, and how different is the modern version than its ancient incarnation?
The Dancers of Ancient Egypt: More Skin - Less Bling
A report by Patricia Spencer, Director of the Egypt Exploration Society, first published by Raqs Sharqi Society, describes the role of dance in Ancient Egypt. The report claims dance was a common element in religous ceremonies, and sometimes used in the harvest season to celebrate yields. "From their work it can be seen that ancient Egyptian women enjoyed dancing just as much as their descendents today," she says.
Drawings and engravings fom the tombs and temples of Ancient Egypt suggest professional dancers existed in the empire. These dancers would perform in all-female groups, called "khener", and there is evidence that women would also dance in tombs for the deceased, and at family banquets.
Dancing in temples, however, was a different matter. Both male and female dancers took part, although Spencer suggests these dances were more ritualistic, and less sensuous than the all-female versions.
Dancers usually wore nothing but a simple cloth or leather around their hips and a white headdress, with the rest of their body bare.
In Ancient Egypt cymbals attached to their fingers - called zills - were used widely as musical instrument to keep the rhythm which were similar to those used by belly dancers today.
Travelling Dancers
Egypt was always open to the influence of other cultures, especially those of the Greeks and Romans. But there is evidence the dance predates even these influences.
In fact according to worldbellydance, the dance originated 6,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, and spread across Rome, North Africa, Spain and India - where travelling gypsies then carried the dance further out to Afghanistan, Turkey, Europe and then Egypt.
We see evidence of belly dancing - or the 'Dance of the East' ( Raqs Sharqi) - in the Christian bible in the case of Salome. As she dances for her stepdad Herod the movements described are reminiscent of belly dancing.
The dance I practiced as a child, which is still seen in Turkey today, was probably most influenced by the gypsy 'Chengi's of 15th Century Turkey. However, the influence of the ancient Egyptians and their wide-ranging predecessors is still discernable. The movements have probably changed very little, and the sensuality prevails, although most dancers will be grateful that the outfits offer a little more support these days!
If you enjoy belly dancing like I do you can see many performances from the likes of BDSS, or take up belly dancing yourself for exercise or just for fun. It's great fun to strengthen your belly muscles to the rhthyms of Oriental Music. The ancient Egyptians did look rather slim on those drawings, so it must work!
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Comments
Great article, amazing how something as specific as a dance routine has permeated cultures for thousands of years...and those Egyptian girls are pretty sexy!
Put your tongue back in, Sean.
Great read! Although it's going to take some convincing for me to believe that Steve Martin didn't develop the world's oldest dance!
Arbitrary - I'd rather see those Egyptian girls than an ageing American comic any day.
another modern classic invented in the ancient world...I would guess though that the Bellydancing Superstars have a few new moves. ;)
Great article, Meral, really liked it! I didn't know that bellydancing is that old, though I learned to dance it several years ago. Very beautiful dance, and BDSS are amazing! I also agree with Sean: those Egyptian girls are very attractive! xD
Very interesting to learn if any european dance has such ancient roots...
"As a child growing up in Turkey, belly dancing was a big part of the 'dress up and play' life of every little girl, and most girls learnt how to dance either from their mums or from other women in the family."
You do realise what you will be demonstrating in the office tomorrow, right? :D
As for the ancient Egyptians enjoying dancing, I do truly believe that both dance and music are most likely the first 'real' expression forms humans had. You don't need paint or even cave walls to produce something astonishing, as both voice and body are there regardless. ;) (It's only if you want a lasting impression you need fingerpaint and cave walls or a HD video camera.)
Yes, I also think an office demonstration would be a good idea.
Asena is one of Turkey's famous belly dancers So I thought I missed the chance to show you some live action in my blog. This might give you another reason to book a nightout with the Bellydancing Superstars
I thought it was pretty interesting that the ancient Egyptians didn't have any form of theatre - despite the influence of the Greeks and Romans. Then again, with group naked belly dancing for entertainment, I can understand why they never bothered with the tragedies. As for other modern dances, I reckon that image in the middle is proof that the Egyptians developed an advanced ancient can-can - what do you reckon?
This article brought back many memories of being taught to belly dance as a tour leader in Turkey - the lady I used to hire to entertain the masses (my group!) would come a bit earlier and teach me some moves, interesting given that my Turkish was minimal and her English was non-existant! However, after a few hours of physically pushing and shoving my hips around, she seemed pleased with her new student.
I hasten to add, given the nature of the tour, she was fully clothed!
When I went to work in Egypt, it was interesting to notice the subtle differences between the dancers in the two countries.
I've continued belly dancing in Australia where it has quite a following, although the graceful sylph-like teacher sometimes has a few problems with the baby elephants trying desperately to emulate her moves in the back of the class - can't see my class quite joining the superstars yet!
india is the first country who used belly dancing as a symbol a slavery to woman but now it changes a lot, it is now uses as a way of entertaining and also a way of exercise for those pregnant woman.
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