[Mid] In defense of the bellydancer

drew & capri wrote:
>
> Because even though exotic dancing is okay for belly-dancers in the SCA
> to do -- in the SCA, some people need to find reasons to look down on
> other people. Since, in much of america, exotic dancing is synonymous
> to whore, these people assumed that the former dancer must be a whore,
> and therefore was after their men, women, pets, whatever. Not income
> snobbery, but pure, stupid ignorance and venom.
>
> sorry, that got a bit preachy.

Yes, Purple, it did. Sorry, I love ya, but now it's my turn. Pardon my
ranting, but this hit a nerve. Let me first say that I personally have
no problem with exotic dancers. If this is the profession they choose
and they can make an honest living at it, then more power to them. I
do, however, take exception to your comment about belly dancers being
"acceptable" exotic dancers. WE ARE NOT EXOTIC DANCERS!! This is a
stereotype we have been fighting since Europeans discoevered the dance.

Middle-Eastern dance is derived from varoius religious rituals, not
mating rituals. Don't believe me? Look up the following dances:
Guedra, Zar, Zeffa, Dervish. PERIOD Middle-Eastern dance was the dance
of women for women. There are still many areas and tribes in the Middle
East where women are expressly fobidden to dance for men...and the
dancing is the same as what you see at events. There are now cities
where dancers can be arrested for dancing in public or in clubs.

So why the common misperception of bellydancers as exotic dancers? Two
words, Purple...Western minds. Compared to the chaste European dancing
of the 17th and 18th centuries (when travel to the Middle East was
chic), the dancers of the Middle East were indeed exotic. That was
audience perception, not the intent of the dance. Mix in European and
American promoters luring dancers away to perform this "danse du ventre"
for the public, and you get modern bellydance.

I will grant you that some SCA dancers DO dance because it makes them
feel sexy or attractive, but the intent of the dance is NOT sexual or
exotic. It is a very feminie, spiritual, and beautiful art form. This
is not to say that a dancer in an adult club cannot be considered to be
an artist herself, just get your terms straight, please.

Still your friend, although a little annoyed at you right now...

Mihri

P.S. In case anyone noticed, I did not talk about men's dance. It did
and does exist, but I am not well educated on it. Maybe a male dancer
can jump in at this point.

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------
In service to the Province of Tree-Girt-Sea, the Principality of the
Northshield, and the Kingdom of the Middle,
Lady Mihri Deniz-Yetim
mka Christina King
From:  Christina King <cengi@wwa.com>
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