Written by Annette Le Couteur
Once thought of as an outdated ancient art, belly dancing has seen a recent revival in contemporary popular culture and fitness industries as a whole, whereby the solo improvised middle eastern dance is now a highly recognisable and strikingly pervasive art form in western civilisation.
POPULAR: Shakira belly dancing
The fact it has managed to transcend cultural boundaries by taking the west by storm, despite being native to the Middle East, is not surprising considering the many physical and psychological benefits those who practice the art receive.
The term “belly dance” itself, is a western coined name and is sometimes simply referred to as middle eastern dance. However, it’s authentic name in the Arabic language is referred to as raqs sharqi. This ancient dance is ever evolving and in recent times has shaped and influenced popular culture in the West within a variety of contemporary media arenas including fashion, film, television imagery and most notably in pop music due to the rise of Columbian superstar Shakira who regularly performs belly dance routines in her live performances and music videos such as Hips Don’t Lie and Eyes Like Yours.
Her hypnotic and sensual movements captivated and exhilarated audiences from around the globe and gave rise to the opportunity to highlight the beauty of this wonderful and ancient art form in all it’s glory within mainstream entertainment industries. Indeed, Shakira’s hip shaking antics didn’t go unnoticed by belly dance enthusiast S.G Gustafson who credits Shakira for the resurgence of belly dance in the year 2002. He said: “Before then few people knew of the art, and those who did usually failed to give it the credit it deserved.”
However, It comes as no surprise that belly dance was around long before Shakira made it famous. The early origins of belly dance is unclear and widely debated amongst dance devotees but considering the little academic attention given to the art form, the lack of factual evidence is to be expected. Some believe it’s origins lay in the Middle East. Another explanation is that belly dancing was originally danced by women for women in the Levent in North Africa and is a popular theory amongst feminists who wish to counteract misogynistic sexual stereotyping of women.
Indeed, if one considers the sexualisation of women in the media it is easy to see why there is a misconception surrounding the purposes of Belly dancing. I challenge the idea that the dance was created with the primary intention to entertain men and titillate the male gaze, but instead to encourage female confidence and empowerment rather than female sexual objectification and degradation. Refreshingly, belly dance journalist Janet Privett also paints a positive picture of belly dancing, describing it as: “The original women’s movement,” in spite of ideas to the contrary.
She goes onto add that: “In ancient times this dance was considered sacred and not intended to be seen by men at all. Belly dance is the purest expression of a woman’s natural power, a celebration of womanhood.”
Not only does belly dance transcend cultural boundaries and rebel against traditional ideas of female objectification, it also challenges societal beauty standards in the West. Considering all the negative imagery bombarding the female psyche in an image conscious society, whereby women feel under pressure to conform to an unachievable body ideal, belly dancing is a breath of fresh air, encouraging women to feel good about themselves whatever their age, shape or size and certainly contributes to it’s popularity amongst women of today. Even credited author, Reneé Critcher Lyons acknowledges this phenomenon in his publication The Revival of Banned Dances. He wrote: “Belly dancing becomes an escape from the restrictive, fashion codes of American mainstream culture because it allows a fuller, more curvaceous body type than other forms of western dance.”
Such repercussions can only be accredited as a positive influence on women’s self worth and definitely contribute to the revival in popularity of the ancient art of belly dancing in popular culture and society as a whole.
As well as the psychological benefits of belly dancing other advantages include weight loss, toning and increased flexibility. Having experienced these side effects first hand, I can definitely vouch for all of the positive attributes associated with belly dance. Not only did it make me feel more body confident, I also felt rejuvenated, energized and feeling more content within myself as the subtle rhythms and movements worked to calm, reduce stress and relax my mind. As one can see, belly dancing is more than just an exercise, but a way of life, heightening well being by strengthening mind, body and spirit. It is an art form that will carry on inspiring women in society for generations to come and one thing is certain…belly dancing is definitely here to stay.
Sharmazing Holiday Destination: Travel Feature
From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the mighty monuments of Cairo and an ancient land that has captured the hearts of explorers and holiday makers for centuries, Egypt is undoubtedly one of the greatest wonders of the known world. My adventure began in late September 2013 as I crossed the ocean to the cradle of civilisation and landed in Sharm el Sheikh- one of the more popular tourist destinations of the ancient kingdom of Kemet. This is not surprising considering how friendly and hospitable the locals are, as well as the excellent service provided in any of the resident hotels. An unforgettable experience is surely to be felt at the Hilton Waterfalls Resort.
Walk through the cascading pathways and enjoy the view of palm trees, crystal blue waters and only a stone throw away from the kaleidoscope of oceanic colours and sandy beaches. It has everything anyone would want to experience in a lavishly timeless setting.
Although my experience didn’t extend beyond Sharm el Sheikh, it was only one of many adventures to come and a trip to Cairo next year is on the horizon…but for now, Sharm is an excellent destination to begin with.
Why not start your own adventure with a mesmerizing and memorable camel ride excursion to the Sinai Desert in Wadi Mandar – a convenient thirty minute drive from any Sharm el Sheikh hotel resort. The air conditioned bus with professionally qualified tour guides, will safely accompany you to your journey destination where you will be met by the fascinating people of the Bedouin tribe as soon as you arrive. Bedu, the Arabic word from the name Bedouin, simply means, “Inhabitant of the desert.” These desert dwelling people traditionally live pastorally, herding cattle, camels, sheep and goats, although few still uphold to their nomadic roots by living as their forefathers did in tents.
Empires have risen and fell but the Bedouin people live on, giving testament to their strength and will to survive. This in turn, draws many foreigners and tourists to meet them personally and learn
of their lives, a tale of a most romantic origin. Not only this, but for tourists travelling with their spouse, an excursion on a Sinai Desert tour is certain to be a romantic one you will never forget.
Not surprisingly, the camel is a reverted animal to the Bedouin tribe of the Sinai desert due to it being the Nomads premier mode of transportation and was also used as a medium of transaction whereby the dowry of a Bedouin bride is estimated according to the number of camels she is worth. Maybe not so romantic after all ;).
Also, to the Bedouin people, the camel is viewed as a gift from Allah. Indeed, the camel is a fortunate asset to the tribe and has been used as a vehicle to earn money through tourist excursions.
Furthermore, once the camel has taken you across the desert, the timeless gift of a beautiful sunset is to behold on the horizon and then you have reached your final destination….the Bedouin tent where a buffet of deliciously traditional Egyptian food is awaiting you.
Indulge in the Bedouin tradition of making your own bread on the fire followed by an evening of entertainment including a folkloric Bedouin fire show and a belly dance bonanza all rolled into one. After the evening draws to an end and the sunset descends, one can experience the magical wonders of star gazing in the clear desert sky through a telescope. This unforgettable experience can be yours for as little as £35.00 per person.
Another experience not to be missed is a speed boating and snorkelling trip rolled into one courtesy of the Aquarius diving school for only £60.00 per person. Not only will you be safely escorted on a speed boat ride across the red sea to Tiran Island, you can experience the wonderful sights of the red sea coastline. Feast your eyes on many of the historic monuments as well as the mysterious Sangria shipwreck in the middle of the ocean. It’s doomed hull eternally floats above the sea surface for many melancholy eyes to see. Wreck diving is also a popular pastime for some tourists and if you are lucky enough, you may even get to see the dolphins who are often seen swimming on the surface,welcoming tourists as they pass through the sea on their journey. Not only this, but the surrounding coral reefs and snorkelling lagoons beside the sandy desolate lands of Tiran Island is the perfect location to indulge in a bit of swimming as well as sun bathing.
For the less adventurous…the Hilton Waterfalls resort provides a calmer yet stimulating snorkelling experience. Simply jump off the floating pontoon and view an array of beautiful coral reef and vibrantly coloured tropical fish. Best of all, this incredible opportunity is absolutely free!
After so much physical exertions, why not relax by going on a shopping trip in Sharm el Sheikh which is always a fun and vibrant experience for all. Be spoilt for choice with an array of flea markets and bazaars as well as a more contemporary shopping excursion in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay or Hadaba that offers a selection of stores, bars and nightclubs. However, if it’s an authentic Egyptian flea market you desire, then look no further than the Old Market, providing shisha pipes, perfume bottles and souvenirs galore. Old and new items can be found with the added novelty of the Arabian Bazaar being a bargain hunter’s paradise- with no item at a fixed price you are free to haggle your way down to a great deal. However, as its culturally acceptable to haggle be on guard for forceful salesmen and shopkeepers. In spite of their aggressive sales pitch it is a lot more affordable than shopping in Oxford Circus!
The market really does have something for everyone with the local shop merchants more than happy to guide you around. One was so useful he guided me to the belly dance costume shop which is music to the ears to any belly dance enthusiast. With beautifully sequinned hand made attire, it’s the perfect place to enhance any dance performance and enthral an audience.
Watching the very talented and authentic Egyptian belly dancer execute and perform this ancient art form so effortlessly on the outdoor coliseum styled stage complete with seating at Hilton Hotel was the perfect end to a magical holiday. If you wish to indulge in a bit of dancing yourself, the hotel also provides belly dance lessons!
The dancer was mesmerizing to watch and it was great to experience the Egyptian culture first hand, explains Aaron, a British tourist who also experienced the wonders of Sharm el Sheikh for the first time and was fortunate enough to stay at the Hilton Hotel. He summarized his experience in Sharm as, “Seven beautiful days of glorious blue sky and sunshine and I couldn’t of picked a better hotel to stay. I will definitely be returning to the Hilton Hotel.”
Written by Annette Le Couteur
The media industrial complex commonly known as the advertising industry bombards us with messages encouraging us to desire only what we think we want and not what we actually need as human beings. According to Author Robert L.Craig:
advertising is the linchpin of consumer Capitalism. It connects economic production to the ideology of consumer demand,
and is essentially a cleverly designed process of mass media mind control used to deliberately brainwash the population to think human needs primarily revolve around the five senses of physical pleasure such as lusting after designer labels, listening to superficial messages in music, jewellery, junk food, sexual imagery e.g. (the sexual objectification of women) all in the hope that aspiring to be these things or obtain these them makes us into a better, happier and self fulfilled person. This is a cruel illusion and could not be further from the truth.
The system is deliberately designed to make you chase empty material objects in order for the human population to feed the central banking system of the world, whereby people sell their lifetime in exchange for money and the ability to acquire as much material possession as possible. This point is reiterated by Dr Valerie Scatamburlo- D’Annibale, a professor at the University of Windsor who says Capitalism:
is a system based on the imposition of universal commodification, including, centrally, the buying and selling of human life-time.
This work to buy mechanism has the undesired effect of leaving those under it’s oppressive power structure with a fleeting feeling of happiness and emptiness inside after they buy a material object. It never seems to satisfy no matter how many times they chase it. This phenomenon can best be compared to the fix or high associated with drug usage. Every time the drug is administered, one will feel a temporary high. However, the high never lasts and all that is left is a low and depressive state of mind and the urge to administer the drug again in an ill fated attempt to receive the temporary high.
Not only this, but the love of money has blinded people from a spiritual awakening. Ma Nithya Sudevi, the author of ‘Free yourself from the International Conspiracy against Enlightenment’ identifies this unnatural phenomenon in her novel and offers solutions to resist the imposition of socialization and capitalising media industries on the populations psyche. She believes that the to be rich equals happiness ideology is completely false and capitalism’s best tool of spiritual oppression. Indeed, the system is deliberately designed to make one focus on the temporary tool (the body) instead of improving, fixing and enlightening the spiritual soul that inhabits the tool. This in turn has the undesirable effect of changing one into a soulless robot designed to serve the system and nothing more.
