Belly Dance History
It is hard to say when "belly dancing" started and where. I have
created this page to help reveal it's mysteries. I have gathered books, web sites,
articles, anything I could find on this subject. Also included on this page is
information about the different styles of dance and types of dances.
This is not an all inclusive list of resources. New items will be added when I run
across them. I hope you enjoy exploring this wonderful art form.
History
Types of Dances
Stars of Belly Dance
History
Articles - The below articles are linked from web sites.
Defining the Dance - by Jen Al-Amira
Exactly What is Middle Eastern Dance - by Lady Blodwen Ferch Maergred
In Search of the Origins of Dance - from Andrea Deagon's website
Pre-17th Century Middle Eastern Dance - by Kimberly A. Minardi (aka Narah)
Primer on Middle Eastern Dance Styles - Beginners are often confused about the many dance styles in Middle Eastern dance. Our dance comes from many countries, so there is great variety. The wide range of choices is one of the charms. There are general characteristics in each style, however, which differentiate them.
Books - Some of these books are out of print. If you ever see
them in a bookstore, flea market or on the web, buy them, they are priceless.
"
Ancient Egyptian Dances" by Irena Lexova, Diane Bergman (Introduction), K. Haltmar (translator)
Excellent resource on the history, mystery and origins of belly dance. Has sections on purely movemental dance, gymnastic dance, imitative dance, dramatic dance, lyrical dance, funeral dance, religious dance, accompaniments of the dance, dance with musical instruments, movements of the legs, arms, and trunk, costumes of the ancient Egyptian women and men dancers, a note on the historical development of the ancient Egyptian art of dancing, and a note on the Egyptian dances, as performed by modern women dancers.
176 pages, $7.95
Publication date March 2000
Dover Publishers, ISBN 0486409066
"Belly Dancing, the serpent and the sphinx" by Wendy Buonaventura. This beautifully illustrated book is a pot-pourri of myth, history, anecdote, travelers’ tales and accounts by belly dancers today.
Virago Press, London, 1983, ISBN 0-86068-279-X,
Out of Print
"Looking For Little Egypt" by Donna Carlton. This book is very well written. The author did a lot of research before writting this book.
Paperback (June 1995), International Dance Discovery Books; ISBN: 0962399817, $14.95"The Oldest Dance" by Zarifa Aradoon. Orgins and philosophy of Danse Oriental [commonly known as belly dancing]. Includes discussions of the dance as seen by foreign travelers.
Dream Place Publications, CA, 1979, ISBN 0-930486-01-3, Out of Print
"Oriental Belly Dance "by Kemal Ozdemir. This book is from Turkey and includes the history of belly dancing, Turkish folk dance, modern and classical dances, Oriental dancers, Oriental dance music, costumes for oriental dancing, the masters of Turkish belly dancing and a guide to watch an Oriental dance performance to name a few. The illustrations and photographs are awesome. The book takes a long time to receive, but it was worth it. 160 pages, published by Donence Basim ve Yayun Hizmetleri, Istanbul/Turkey, ISBN 975-7054-11-9, $50.00
"The Rom: walking in the paths of the gypsies" by Roger Moreau. The author's account of his efforts to research the history of the Rroma, especially those aspects that are still not completely understood by modern-day Gypsiologists.
Paperback - 304 pages (September 1997), Key Porter Books; ISBN: 1550138685; $14.95"Serpent of the Nile: women and dance in the Arab world"
by Wendy Buonaventura. Explores the history of belly dancing from ancient times through the resent.
Paperback - 208 pages Reprint edition (February 1998), Interlink Pub Group; ISBN: 1566563003; $35.00
Web Sites - The below web sites touch on the history of belly dancing.
History of Oriental Dance - Books, music, FAQ's and articles about the history of belly dancing. From Shira's website.
Hootchy-Kootchy - from StreetSwing.com dance history archive
Oriental Belly Dance - from StreetSwing.com dance history archive
Types of Dances
Web Sites - The below web sites touch on the different styles of belly
dancing
Helene Ericksen - her website contains a lot of information, both in text and photos, of dances from various countries.
Styles of Belly Dance in the United States - Overview of the different styles of dance within the U.S. Contains terminology, structure of dance, finger cymbals and type of dance moves to name a few. From Shira's web site.
Floorwork
Discussion of floorwork - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
Gypsy, Flamenco & Middle Eastern Dance
Origins Misunderstandings - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
Snake
Snake Dancing - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
That Snake Charmer Song - History of the "Snake Charmer" song. You know the one, that very annoying sound that has nothing to do with the Middle Eastern Dance. Listen to the song recorded by Carl Stevens and His Circus Band and other artists. From Shira's Site.
Trance
Guedra - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
The Zar - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
The Zar Revisited - by Me'ira
Veil
Dance of the Seven Veils and Salome - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
Veil - Information on American night club, Tribal Fusion and Egyptian Raqs Sharqi viel work. From Shira's web site.
Veil Dancing - FAQ's from Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide.
Badia Masabni 
Articles
- Dancers of the Past - from Jodette's website
Fifi Abdou
Articles
- Fifi Abdou - from Serpentine website
Mona el Said
Articles
- Mona el Said in Dallas - by Catherine E Barros
Nagwa Fouad
Articles
- Nagwa fouad - filmography
Naima Akef 
Articles
- Naima Akef - from Serpentine website
- Naima Akef - filmography
Samia Gamal
Articles
- Samia Gamal - from Serpentine website
- Samia Gamal - filmography
Souhair Zaki
Articles
- Sohair Zuki - from Serpentine website
Tahia Carioca
Articles
- Tahia Carioca - from Serpentine website
Websites and General Articles Featuring
the Stars of
Belly Dancing
- Atef Farag: a life in dance - interview by Debbie Lammam
More about Yasmina
Teaching & Performances
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What's Happening!
Check out the events page for happenings around the State.
Belly Dancing with
Yasmina
Fall Session
October 22nd
thru
December 4thCabaret Classes
Tuesday Nights
Drum & Zills 6:30 - 7:30
Tribal Classes
Wednesday Nights
Beyond Basic 6:30 - 7:30Classes in:
American Cabaret
and TribalMesa Arts Center
1 East Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
