Oriental Dance
An ancient art in modern times
By: Donna
Professional Oriental Dancer/Instructor
Indisputably the oldest style of dance and the most gracious - Oriental Dance has been around since the dawn of time. Its exotic movements and graceful gestures have been passed down through the ages adding more refinement and embellishment with the passing years. It originated in Egypt, North Africa, Lebanon and Turkey. It was a dance done by women for women. History shows evidence of Egyptian tomb paintings as far back as the fourteenth century BC whose callisthenic positions depict that of Oriental Dancing movements. Many of the dance’s movements were originally done for religious purposes as an expression of prayer and devotion. In other countries where religion was not the main intention, movements were done as a sign of fertility and female health. The movements require mental focus to keep your balance and to coordinate the steps into a pattern. Oriental Dancing is also uniquely designed for the female body with isolation movements of the abs, hips, legs, chest and arms. The best characteristics of the dance are its smooth, flowing, complex and sensual movements intermixed with fast vibrations and shimmy type actions. The music sets the pace for how energetic the dance depicts celebration, health, religious aspects or female conjunction will be. The dance itself is not limited to females although it is sometimes thought to be a feminine style of dance. Many men have perfected this art in different aspects to incorporate their interpretation of the ancient style. A whirling dervish is a wonderful spinning move that was founded in religion as a prayer to God, commonly performed but not limited dominantly to males. When performed properly this spin can last anywhere from 10-15 minutes long.
How could such a dance with a long history and well-respected background be polluted over the years? Thanks to modern time depictions and misinterpretations Oriental Dance have become muddled with less respected recognition. Hollywood fashioned the title of Belly Dancing when a well-known Egyptian dancer nicknamed Little Egypt first performed on American shores, which gave rise to scandal in the early twentieth century. Now that a new century is upon us, that is supposedly more advanced and has the access to global knowledge, Oriental Dance is still perceived by some ignorant views as distasteful or lewd. These antiquated ideas have plagued Oriental Dancers by demeaning the art they respect and enjoy performing.
When Ballet first appeared in dance history around the fifteenth century, it too was looked down upon and seen as something scandalous. Where Ballet was able to break into a well-respected community and sought after art form, Oriental Dance remained hidden behind misconceptions and scandal. So what is it that makes everyone immediately think poorly of Oriental Dance? Most of the attire and costumes worn by an Oriental Dancer cover more of their body then a tutu worn by a ballerina. Oriental Dancers add coins and fringe as a costume prop to add flare and light catching eye pleasers. The costume does show the midriff so the defined movements being performed can be appreciated. The skirts are usually long and can either be fitted tight to the body or flowing and graceful. If not the attire, then perhaps the movements would present an issue? The slow graceful celebrations of perfect body isolation and improvisation to musical expression make these dancers the walking artisans that are well sought after in their own culture. Each movement has a purpose and a link to control and timing that many dances in modern times do not express. Controlled isolations with precision in perfect timing to the various melodies of Middle Eastern music make this style of dance a time-honored tradition in many households.
Yet there are some places around the world, and even in open-minded America, that still dishonor the art, thanks to poor interpretations and imposters that have tarnished the art. Fantasy is an illusion that any dancer creates for those who cannot appreciate the true nature of the art or its integral requirements. There are select parts of Egypt, one of the origins of the dance, where people still frown upon the performance of the dance in public. At times a license is required for public performers and certain moves are outlawed. Yet you could easily travel a few miles from that town to a more modernized city that welcomes artists who perform the so-called belly dancing with great reverence.
Today in America Oriental Dancing is a conglomeration of many styles of dance - not just Middle Eastern styles. The dance has even expanded to include both female and male genders more so then ever before. Despite vast regional variations and the different styles of rhythms and instruments used, there is usually a great emphasis on percussion. Whether it is for fitness, spiritual health or to learn a timeless dance, Oriental Dancing is one of the best dances/exercises with an exciting and sensual twist. It is becoming more popular than ever before and unfolding in new light and crowds. The art is working its way to becoming more respected and transforming into an artistic genre for stage performances and cabaret settings.
It is suffice to say that while Oriental Dancers have made several breakthroughs throughout history, much more is still needs to be accomplished by its performers in order to bring the dance into its true artistic light. Each performer that depicts this time-honored tradition is expected to uphold the standards in order to capture the true essence of Oriental Dance and move away from the Hollywood misconceptions and scandalous representations. It is our hope as dancers, artists, teachers and performers that people will not continue to feed the propaganda that some poorly advised media personnel attempt to spew. Every Oriental performer is an artist in motion and should be treated with the grace and dignity that is well deserved of any timeless dancer.