Belly Dancing Feminist?

Question

I love yoga and belly dancing and recently I took part in a belly dance production based around the the 'Decent of Inanna to the Underworld.' The production involed dance and poetry. I danced Ereshkigal the Queen of death and the Underworld. (Type cast again!)
A feminist friend castigated me for appearing. She saw the show and said I was letting the side down...quote 'you were literally bending over backwards to please men.' I pointed out that the audience was mainly female and I was hardly a sex object. The makeup even scared me me when I saw myself in the mirror. I looked like a dancing corpse with a sai in each hand. I'm still a Feminist and a belly dancer and will continue to be so but I was interested in other peoples take on it.
I wonder if the anti-feminist will rise to my defence...I doubt it but I'll be watching.

You rotten lot how am I supposed to choose a best answer from from all these brilliant answers...nice to see so many belly dancers I just love it.
I'm going to show my friend the answers

Baba Yaga: I did in at greater lengh and more detail than she really wanted. I must have had some effect she's coming to classes with me.
I showed Her Maria Strova's, Secret Langauge of Belly Dancing...a must read.

Erad: another Rachel Brice fan. Is she brilliant or just amazingly brilliant? If I could move like that...sigh.

Ember Halo: Thanks for the great links.
Perhaps we need a belly dancing section, on YA.

Dear Sex fairy: I'm not a professional...wish I was! I'm just a fanatic it's central to my life along with yoga and meditation.

Answer 1

Yes, that makes two of us, although I'm not professional like you. Belly Dancing is an art, and if Flying Horse was here she'd probably tell you the same. She is a dance instructor and a top contributor in this section. Anyway, people just think belly dancing is like stripping and it is SOOOO NOT! Although I'm not professional, I've had money thrown at me (yes, the paper kind), and I've received flowers at my office because certain men were so impressed with the way I danced. Also, belly dancing is sensual, but it's not necessarily directed at men.


"What is Belly Dancing?

Many experts say belly dancing is the oldest form of dance, having roots in all ancient cultures from the orient to India to the mid-East. Probably the greatest misconception about belly dancing is that it is intended to entertain men. Throughout history, this ritualized expression has usually been performed for other women--generally during fertility rites or parties preparing a young woman for marriage. In most cases, the presence of men is not permitted.

Belly dancing is natural to a woman's bone and muscle structure with movements emanating from the torso rather than in the legs and feet. The dance often focuses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in sensuous patterns, weaving together the entire feminine form. Belly dancing is generally performed barefoot, thought by many to emphasize the intimate physical connection between the dancer, her expression, and Mother Earth.

Belly dancing costumes are often colorful, flowing garments, accented with flowing scarves and veils. Finger cymbals (made of brass and known as zills) are common, dating back to 200 B. C. as well as exotic jewelry, including intricate belts made of coins that, in earlier days, comprised the family's wealth so that it might be portable in the event the woman needed to move quickly or flee. Other interesting accessories used during the dance are swords, snakes, large vessels, and even huge candelabras, complete with flaming candles. Belly dancing enjoyed its first significant renown when the famous dancer Little Egypt performed at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Americans found themselves fascinated by the exotic body rhythms and music, eventually including them in many silent films made just a few years later. Costumes and dancing styles were given a distinctive Hollywood flare and, in turn influenced dancers in the Middle East, thus evolving the art form to a new level. For example, belly dancing with flowing veils hadn't been documented before the 1900s but is now quite popular throughout the world.

Since the turn of the century, belly dancing has grown enormously in popularity across the U. S. and worldwide. Belly dance festivals, workshops, and seminars take place constantly, attracting large audiences of interested, involved men and women. Many dancers now study the art form intensively, traveling to the mid-East and elsewhere to experience it where it originated." (Byblos)

Belly dancing for me is a way to express myself. I may not be able to draw or paint or make a sonnet, but give me an all Arab band with drums, a wood floor, a veil... and watchout!!!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

i'm a feminist belly dancer as well!!
belly dancing (well, Middle eastern dance more appropriately) was originally a woman's dance, done for and by women only. it was also used as a 'birthdance' to prepare women for childbearing & childbirth.
it has been changed into "belly dancing" since the 'west' got wind of it, and changed the costumes to be a bit more revealing. but it's still a womanly dance. i LOVE belly dancing, it's so much fun!!
and it is an exercise that is especially beneficial for women, as it uses & strengthens all the feminine muscles.

an exerpt from the second link that i wholeheartedly agree with:
"Feminists and belly dancers are natural allies in many ways. Feminists are particularly attuned to seeing women’s expression suppressed by patriarchal expectations. Feminists, like belly dancers, are used to being misunderstood. While belly dancers are often portrayed as being exhibitionistic or sexually immoral, feminists are often tagged as man-haters, lesbians, radicals, control freaks and prudes. Feminists are particularly aware that public images of women can be misleading, and that often there is a different story behind the “story” society embraces. Feminists are also attuned to the forms of women’s self-expression, and alert to the difficulties society has in hearing it."

Answer 4

Smile. Feminism had always been about having choices in life for me. I would never let anyone dictate what I should or should not do. Use your own judgment, you are an intelligent individual.

I have very little knowledge of belly dancing, because I grew up and live my life in a western world. However, it seems like a very sensual type of a dance to me. It teaches women to be feminine in the way we move. It also seems like a great way for getting yourself into a shape. I do not see why anyone would have a problem with it.

Answer 5

Ugh! This kind of thinking makes me crazy. It is not against feminism to enjoy belly dancing. It is against feminism to be ashamed of the beauty that comes from art forms like belly dancing. I'm not just talking about what a woman looks like visually. I have male friends who can belly dance. I'm also talking about how it makes you feel personally when you are belly dancing. There is power and spirituality that can come from dance. Why should anyone be made to feel anti-feminist for enjoying something that can make you feel so wonderful?

Answer 6

Belly dancing was around long before the feminist movement, and long before it became popular in the West. Originally, belly dancing was performed by women and only in a company of other women, as a form of entertainment but also self-expression. It was a way to bond with other women and express your femininity. It originally had nothing to do with men and was not even meant for men to see.

Answer 7

I have always wanted to learn belly dancing. I promise myself I will start before I turn 40. I am not anti-feminist, but I am non-feminist, and I indeed rise to your defense. Isn't feminism supposed to be about a woman feeling liberated to pursue whatever she desires without other people putting her into a box? Sometimes, I think feminism is just another box, perhaps a different box, but a box just the same. Even if belly dancing is pleasing to men, I don't think that is what is relevant here. What's relevant is, is it pleasing to you? I say, go ahead and get your groove on.

Answer 8

Since the turn of the century, belly dancing has grown enormously in popularity across the U. S. and worldwide. Belly dance festivals, workshops, and seminars take place constantly, attracting large audiences of interested, involved men and women. Many dancers now study the art form intensively, traveling to the mid-East and elsewhere to experience it where it originated." (Byblos)

Answer 9

I don't understand how doing something you love and enjoy could be 'letting the feminists down'. If you happen to look sexy or alluring while you are doing something for yourself...then isn't that wonderful - so that others can enjoy also. But the bottom line is that you are not letting ANYONE down if you pursue things that you love to do.

You see...I'm afraid it is so-called feminists like your friend that turned me off the movement itself. They somehow find a way to turn every little thing into a fight or a slight against women. Sad.

Answer 10

Belly dancing IS NOT about sex! It's beautiful and there's nothing un feminist about it.

I see many people here in America that portray belly dancing as a sexual thing.. When it really isn't. I want to learn how to belly dance sometime soon.

EDIT-wow, I've never realized how many of the feminists here are belly dancers or want to learn how to belly dance. We should start a belly dancing club.