History of Belly Dance in the US
Belly dance today is an evolution of some of the oldest forms of dance from
the Middle East and Asia, each with its own unique history and style.
These dances were passed down from generation to generation, and they
were generally not intended for performance on stage. In many Middle
Eastern cultures, the women lived in a separate area of the home and
would gather in the evenings to read poems, sing and dance for each
other (not men). The dances were passed down from elder women in families to the
children of the community. Some research suggests that belly dance was
used to prepare the stomach muscles for pregnancy, labor, and delivery in
addition to being part of the celebration of a child's birth.
There is much debate over how belly dance came to be in the format that
is currently known in the United States. Most scholars believe it was
brought to the US in 1893 when Sol Bloom brought a dancer named Little
Egypt to perform at the Chicago World's Fair. After the fair, other dancers
began to imitate Little Egypt's dance around the country, eventually
influencing some of the founders of American dance such as Isadora
Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Martha Graham.
Belly dance continues evolve within the social and political climate of each
generation, fulfilling the need for women to connect with their own spirit as
well as with those who have carried the tradition of this dance throughout
the generations.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of belly dance,
please contact me and I will be happy to recommend other websites,
books, etc.
Back to Why Bellydance
Belly dance today is an evolution of some of the oldest forms of dance from
the Middle East and Asia, each with its own unique history and style.
These dances were passed down from generation to generation, and they
were generally not intended for performance on stage. In many Middle
Eastern cultures, the women lived in a separate area of the home and
would gather in the evenings to read poems, sing and dance for each
other (not men). The dances were passed down from elder women in families to the
children of the community. Some research suggests that belly dance was
used to prepare the stomach muscles for pregnancy, labor, and delivery in
addition to being part of the celebration of a child's birth.
There is much debate over how belly dance came to be in the format that
is currently known in the United States. Most scholars believe it was
brought to the US in 1893 when Sol Bloom brought a dancer named Little
Egypt to perform at the Chicago World's Fair. After the fair, other dancers
began to imitate Little Egypt's dance around the country, eventually
influencing some of the founders of American dance such as Isadora
Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Martha Graham.
Belly dance continues evolve within the social and political climate of each
generation, fulfilling the need for women to connect with their own spirit as
well as with those who have carried the tradition of this dance throughout
the generations.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of belly dance,
please contact me and I will be happy to recommend other websites,
books, etc.
Back to Why Bellydance
| Kristi Krueger kristi@kristikrueger.com (920) 946-5994 Belly dance (aka Middle Eastern dance) instructor / teacher and performer in the Sheboygan, WI and surrounding areas Home I About Kristi I Classes & Workshops I Book a Performance I Events I Student Resources I FAQ I Gallery I Troupe I Merchandise/Apparel I Contact Kristi Design and all contents of this website ©2011 Kristi Krueger. All Rights Reserved. Images and content of this site cannot be reproduced or copied without permission.II |