Middle Eastern dance, also in Norway!
The roots of the Dance- Middle Eastern dance is dances in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa, and is one of the worlds oldest cultural dances. There are several theories about how the dance came about. Some claim that it evolved in Egypt, others claim it roots back to dances from India and that it spread through nomadic people. What is certain is that the dance is over thousands of years old and that it has been parts of religious seremonies, fertility rites and folkdances - and that it as time passed by developed into also cover secular entertainment. Bellydance- The term Bellydance was created by western Orientalists in the end of the 18th century and was by this recieving attention from shocked Victorians and contributed to the myth about the Oriental dream with the mystic and exotic East. The term Bellydance is somewhat misleading by the mere fact that the hips, the pelvic and arms are utilised just as much as the belly when dancing. The Arabs themselves call the dance form Raqs Sharki meaning the dance from the East. The dance form as we know as Bellydance today was born in the Cabarets in Cairo in the 1920s and is called Cabaret or Orientale. It was in the Cabarets that the costume with a bare stomach we are used to seeing today appeared. It was inspired by the East Indian way of dressing and by the costumes of the Cabarets of the era as well as fantasy based and exotic Hollywood movies. A "real bellydance costume" with a sequined bra and belt are still called a Cabaret costume or a Bedlah. The Cabaret style can be seen in nightclubs in today's Cairo, Beirut, and other large cities. The Cabaret genre demands high skills, is ultra feminine, sensual and humoristic. It also has elements from folk dances and Ballet. The different styles- Middle Eastern dance is much more than Bellydance. There are numerous styles and variations even though the basic movements usually are the same - inspite of the different characters. Sometimes Classical Raqs Sharki is separated into it's own genre. This style expresses elegance and dignity and is less "commercial" than the Cabaret style. It is always performed to Classical Arabic music in a tight dress with a wide skirt, sometimes even in a two piece costume. Balady is a style that evolved at the turn of the century in the meet between city and countryside in Cairo's suburban areas. Balady is the "Blues of Middle Eastern Dance". The style is evolving and is always open for new impressions. Balady is danced in a folklore inspired shirt or in a more sophisticated evening dress. Every country, sometimes every village, has it's own characteristic folk dances. Examples of folk dances are Tunisian Folk Dance, Gawazee (Egyptian Gypsy dance), Ouled Nail from Algeria, Tahtib and Saiidi (Cane dances from Egypt) or Khaleegi (hair dance from Saudi-Arabia). The folkdances are usually simpler and have more forceful movements than the Cabaret style and often express joy or reflect situations from everyday life. The costumes vary, but are always fully covering. The dances are often danced in groups and men participate. Several speciality dances have evolved from the folklore dances where one displays one's skills by for example balancing various objects on the head - such as a sword, a candelabra, a cane or an Arabic tea tray. Middle Eastern dance also covers religious and healing dances like Guedra (Blessings dance from Morocco) Sufi dances (Whirling Dervishes) and Zaar (Exorsism dance). The social dance - Middle Eastern dance is not only for stage. In Arabic countries the Middle Eastern dance is integrated in the culture and all women, men and children dance at joyous occasions like weddings and circumcion parties (or in clubs). The dance is taught from mother to daughter. The social aspect of the dance is important and everyone gets to participate in it. What does the dance express- A good dancer is not only suppose to move beautifully, she also has to undersand and know the neuances of the music. The dancer improvises to the music (western dancers often make choreographies) and interpretates it in his/her personal way. The dance reflects the music and expresses joy, sorrow, proudness, sensuality, romance and is a celebration of life with all it's facets. Why Norwegian women dance- Middle Eastern dance has many aspects and Norwegian women pick and utilize what they find positive in the dance form. Some wish to express and develop their womenhood and femininity, others regard the dance as a step in personal or spiritual development. Middle Eastern dance can simply be an exiting and fun form of exersise, great for stiff Norwegian backs or when pregnant. Besides, the dance has a women friendly body ideal. Some are attracted by the sisterhood that evolves around the dance, either in Norway or in other cultures where the dance creates instant communication. However, the most important reason to why Norwegian women dance Middle Eastern dance is the joy and fullfillment through the dance. Middle Eastern dance is an expression of joy and it also gives joy!
Published by : Al Farah ODF |
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