If you are a dancer-- or if you are hiring a dancer-- or if you are related to or in a relationship with a dancer-- or even if you just have a passing interest in dance-- you owe it to yourself to read more about the history of the art form. Bellydance is associated with many myths and legends, each of which may or may not resemble historical fact.
Each of these sites has something to say about some of the biggest questions someone who is interested in bellydance might have. I've tried to include a multitude of viewpoints from different sources. Keep in mind that some of these articles represent opinion, not fact, because the topic they are addressing is a matter of personal perspective.
If you have a link you'd like me to consider including on this list, please send me the URL at skbeaman (at) gmail (dot) com.
External links will open in a separate window.
Q. What is bellydance and where did it come from?
A. Bellydance History: A Brief Outline by Narah
A. In Search of the Origins of Dance by Andrea Deagon
Q. What is "American Tribal Style" and where did it come from?
A. A History of American Tribal Style Bellydance by Rina Rall
A. The Elusive Definition of Tribal Bellydance by Sharon Moore
A. What is Tribal Belly Dance? from bdancer.com
A. Aziza Sa'id's FAQ - American Tribal Style (ATS)
Q. What is "Tribal Fusion"? Who developed it? How is it different than "American Tribal Style"?
A. Tribal Fusion by Heather Stants
Q. Is “Belly Dance” a legitimate name for our dance form? If not, what else do we call it?
A. A Dance by Any Other Name by Shira
A. A Name, A Notion by Salome
Q. How can we define the various genres and subgenres of bellydance?
A. Turkish Dance, American Cabaret and Vintage Orientale by Artemis Mourat
A. Styles of Belly Dance in the United States by Shira
A. Many Styles of Belly Dance by Yasmina
A. Overview of Belly Dance Styles by Zehara
Q. How does American bellydance relate to dance in the Middle East today?
A. Raqs-spora by Asim from Root Magazine (part II)
Interviews
Aisha Ali by Salome
Ansuya by Salome
Artemis Mourat by Kajira Djoumanha
Beata and Horatio Cifuentes by Salome
Carolena Nericcio by Kajira Djoumanha
Delilah by Kajira Djoumanha
Fahtiem by Salome
Morocco by Kajira Djoumanha
Rachel Brice by Salome
Suhaila by Kajira Djoumanha
Each of these sites has something to say about some of the biggest questions someone who is interested in bellydance might have. I've tried to include a multitude of viewpoints from different sources. Keep in mind that some of these articles represent opinion, not fact, because the topic they are addressing is a matter of personal perspective.
If you have a link you'd like me to consider including on this list, please send me the URL at skbeaman (at) gmail (dot) com.
External links will open in a separate window.
Q. What is bellydance and where did it come from?
A. Bellydance History: A Brief Outline by Narah
A. In Search of the Origins of Dance by Andrea Deagon
Q. What is "American Tribal Style" and where did it come from?
A. A History of American Tribal Style Bellydance by Rina Rall
A. The Elusive Definition of Tribal Bellydance by Sharon Moore
A. What is Tribal Belly Dance? from bdancer.com
A. Aziza Sa'id's FAQ - American Tribal Style (ATS)
Q. What is "Tribal Fusion"? Who developed it? How is it different than "American Tribal Style"?
A. Tribal Fusion by Heather Stants
Q. Is “Belly Dance” a legitimate name for our dance form? If not, what else do we call it?
A. A Dance by Any Other Name by Shira
A. A Name, A Notion by Salome
Q. How can we define the various genres and subgenres of bellydance?
A. Turkish Dance, American Cabaret and Vintage Orientale by Artemis Mourat
A. Styles of Belly Dance in the United States by Shira
A. Many Styles of Belly Dance by Yasmina
A. Overview of Belly Dance Styles by Zehara
Q. How does American bellydance relate to dance in the Middle East today?
A. Raqs-spora by Asim from Root Magazine (part II)
Interviews
Aisha Ali by Salome
Ansuya by Salome
Artemis Mourat by Kajira Djoumanha
Beata and Horatio Cifuentes by Salome
Carolena Nericcio by Kajira Djoumanha
Delilah by Kajira Djoumanha
Fahtiem by Salome
Morocco by Kajira Djoumanha
Rachel Brice by Salome
Suhaila by Kajira Djoumanha