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Belly DanceInstructor: Jillanna Babb-Cheshul For more information about Merrybellies Belly Dance classes, troupes, and performances, please visit Merrybellies Belly Dance. "Every Oriental dancer must express life, death, happiness, sorrow, love and anger, but above all she must have dignity."—Tahia Carioca (1915-1999)
Belly dance originated thousands of years ago in the Middle East and North Africa and is one of the oldest dance forms, natural to the body, with a rich and diverse background. Early matriarchal cultures believed that women's bodies were sacred for their ability to give birth. There were birthing rituals and exercises to prepare young women for the physical stress of childbirth as well as helping the baby to get in the most optimal position. These were an aspect of the temple dances and there were also folk dances that were performed at social events and celebrations. These dances spread throughout different regions and took on different characteristics and flavors and developed to reflect their surrounding cultures. Devadassi or temple dancers in Northern India left around 500 BC and spread the dance throughout Persia, Middle East, North Africa and up into Spain; the dance in Spain became known as Flamenco. Romani who traveled the "Gypsy Trail" from India to Spain and Europe influenced many regions along the way with their music and dance, and were in turn influenced by local styles. Each region has its own style of folkloric dance, music, and costume, although a common thread flows through each. There are:
Elements of these folkloric dances evolved into today's belly dance. In Egypt, Badia Masabni opened a club in 1926 featuring belly dancers in new styles of costume, using veils, and performing choreographed dances. Some of the professional dancers (Samia Gamal; Tahia Carioca; Naima Akef) were also trained in ballet, acrobatics and other styles of dance, which they fused with the language of Middle Eastern dance. The Egyptian dancers who followed after these amazing performers both learned from them and added their own character and new ideas. Raks Sharki, or "dance of the East," involves precise and elegant muscular isolations, beautiful arm movements, spins and turns inspired by western ballet, and exciting shimmies. Other styles of belly dance include Modern Egyptian; Egyptian Beledi, Saidi, Shaabi, and Ghawazee; Turkish; Modern Lebanese; American Cabaret; American Tribal Style (ATS); Cabaret Fusion; and Tribal Fusion (which has innumerable offshoots!). Using the word "fusion" is actually redundant, as fusion has been a part of belly dance throughout recorded history. "I was able to combine the Oriental dancing of Tahia Carioca and Samia Gamal with Naima's acrobatic style and created a stage show like a dramatic piece."—Nagwa Fouad (b. 1943)
Badia's Casino (1934)
Important Notes
I am honored to dance with you!
Benefits Of Belly Dance
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To dance is to be out of yourself. More beautiful, more powerful.
"The first time that I heard of the Merrybellies was when they performed at Hallowcon. I enjoyed their performances, but I never fathomed being a dancer. Then my friend started taking classes with Jillanna and would try to get me to go. I always found an excuse not to. Then my friend performed at Hallowcon, and I could see that she was having a blast! The next week I contacted Jillanna and signed up for a beginner class. One year later I am in the Pixie Dust dance troupe, I have performed at Hallowcon, and I am working on my first solo choreography. Belly dance has increased my self-confidence, my self-esteem, and I have made some wonderful new friends. Now I can't imagine my life without belly dance!" |
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