Is Belly Dance just about being sexy?
While belly dance is certainly very sensual, it isn’t just about being sexy. Not surprisingly, many people inaccurately assume belly dance’s raison detre is to entertain, often rather superficially. Here in the west, we often think of belly dancers as somewhat degraded entertainers. The truth is that this dance is found in many contexts. Traditionally, in some parts of the world, dance has been a way for women to bond. In the Middle East, female family members of all ages still get together in their homes and dance to entertain themselves, as they have done for centuries. Young girls learn steps from their mothers and grandmothers, passing the art form down through the generations. Advice is passed down with the dances and stories; a part of a cultural heritage that goes back hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. Traditionally, belly dance has also an important part of community events such as weddings, celebrations, and healing rituals like the Zar. When we dance we embody the man
