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Belly dance-a term that conjures up images of scantily clad women gyrating in a spectacle of jingles and glitter at lap-dancing clubs or leery bachelor parties.
Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about this sacred dance.

Danced by women, for women,(Men were excluded from their private gatherings)
belly dancing originated as a birthing dance that was passed from mother to daughter to aid the new female generation in childbirth.

The undulating rhythms of belly dance focus on the hips and stomach and the repetitive movements help to strengthen the pelvic floor and the core muscles around the stomach and back.
In this way, belly dance is not only a beautiful form of entertainment, it serves a practical life-giving purpose as well.

Belly dancing originated in the Middle East as" Raks Sharqi" which translates loosely as "Oriental Dance"
A traditional feature at weddings, Belly dance served the dual purpose of blessing the marriage with fertility and keeping the guests entertained with it's hypnotic snakelike flow.
The umbrella term "belly dancing" is used by westerners to describe a conglomeration of styles from many eastern regions.
Though, to the general punter, any broad shaking her stuff in a sparkly get-up would probably qualify as a belly dancer!

Although very much ingrained in Middle Eastern cultures, the damaging misconceptions of this dance seems to have spread far and wide, even to it's place of origin.
Radical Islamic Fundamentalists are doing their best to suppress the tradition.
In the 1950's it was declared illegal in Egypt and though the ban was repealed due to public uproar, the dancers are still obliged not to show their stomachs when performing.
The fundamentalists have succeeded in removing belly dancing from televised programming and occasionally terrorize restaurants and nightspots that allow dancers on their premises.

A dance that was once worshipped and appreciated as a celebration of life is now viewed with shame and disgust by some and embarrassment by others.
It is saddening that some of us seek out the sexual depravity in an art form that began as something so sacred and pure.

Learn more about this author, Michelle P.Clarke.
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