Rodriguez, who had dabbled in “nearly every other form of dance,” says she appreciates belly dance’s feminist roots. Rodriguez explains that belly dance was first performed by women for women – no guys allowed – in the harems of North Africa and the Middle East. She suggests that the initial purpose of belly dance was to instruct women on how to have sexual intercourse and give birth.
Then, Rodriguez says, belly dance became “less dignified;” the belly dancer began performing at weddings, demonstrating the bride’s duties for mixed crowds.
Later on, at the Chicago’s World Fair in 1893, belly dance found its way into the American spotlight, where it became more about lust and money than about life lessons. Today, Rodriguez says, spectators often treat belly dancers like strippers, stuffing cash into performers’ belts or bras.
See the full article from “Patch”