Bellydancing

Did you know that the term "Belly Dancing" is not the best term or language for "Oriental Dance" that covers dancing from regions of Near and Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean? The term "belly dance" actually perpetuates some stereotypes about this dance form. It is not always done with the mid riff exposed, it is not only performed by women, and it is not the art of seduction. It is more generally folk dancing that is taken to various levels performance.

Some dancers and instructors use Raks Sharki which is Arabic for Oriental Dance. Some individuals feel that the term "belly dancing" is racist, colonist, and based on Victorian values. Despite this, you will find the word "belly dance" is very commonly used and has been adopted by many dancers and instructors.

There are many dancers, instructors, and troupes that do not neatly fall into one or the other categories but it is Leilani's hope that these terms will help you on your dance journey.

Cabaret style is an American term to describe very flashy performance styles that are commonly solos and in groups. The solos are combinations of choreographed and improvisational; whereas group performances are often choreographed. Costuming is commonly very colorful with beads and sequins in bra belt combinations or similar dresses. Examples: Leilani's first instructor www.bellydancingbyzaphara.com, the graceful and gorgeous www.nadira.com and the talented henna artist and amazing dancer www.aleedra.com.

Tribal belly dancing is not just an American term but it's an American originated style. It is a sort of renaissance of combining various world costuming and group improvisational stylized dancing. For examples: www.fcbd.com/html/scrapbook.html , www.infusiontribal.com , www.troupehipnotica.com , and www.raqshalim.com.

Gypsy is commonly erroneously used a descriptive term for an archetype, dress style, attitude/presence or dance style. It is in fact, a race of people and usually considered a derogatory term. We "belly dancers" owe a great debt to the Romany people. It does not honor them to call them "Gypsies". It is racial ignorance to refer to ourselves as "Gypsy" -insert dancing, style, themed, inspired, etc... [unless we are Rom.] There is much to learn about the history of dance and of the many peoples we have borrowed from to fuse together what we now think of as "belly dancing." To learn more about these terms, Leilani recommends the books linked here as a beginning.