Thread: Belly Chain as Hair Shirt

Yes..all you Catholics know what I mean...

So I got this cheap rhinestone belly chain and clapped it on today. I was bemused by seeing all the Cairo dancers wear them (nice gold ones). Even under a dress you can see it. So I got to thinking (wow, is it hot in here, or is it just me?) about the function of that chain. I cannot slump, and I cannot over eat while wearing it as its constant presence is felt. I am not comfy..but what the hell...this is for art, and we must all suffer. Anybody else?

Haha! I have thought the same thing. Maybe they are "am I fat yet?" reminders.

I think if you can feel the reminder...you are indeed fat! I have mine set on slightly uncomfortabe and will tighten it up as needed. At leat I have a few inches on dangle..not much...but a few.

I think it's a "don't stick your belly out to far" device. :-D

I think they're to keep you trim too!

I did wonder at one point if the belly chain was a means for some Cairo dancers to go "oh but I *am* covering my belly, look there is a chain amidst these 20 tons of body glitter." At a distance it could almost look like a cover of some sort....

At a distance it could almost look like a cover

Like from Syria?

I was raised Catholic, and I have no idea what you mean! Nor do I know what you mean about belly chains? ou mean they wear them all the time, even under other things? And how would it look like a cover?

Color me lost!

Originally Posted by anala

At a distance it could almost look like a cover

Like from Syria?

LOL! But remember when some of the dancers were completely covering themselves in glitter? To the point it almost looked like a very sheer crystal body stocking? And look, a seam at the waist!

TribalDancer, a hair shirt is something very holy people used to wear under their normal clothes, all the time, as a scourge. The idea is to be permanently uncomfortable so as to be conscious of one's sins and imperfections at all times.

Imagine wearing something prickly and itchy always and you've got the idea. Hair cuts the skin too (ask any hairdresser). IT's evil stuff off the head.

Hair shirt...it was all the rage in the Dark Ages. Monks and priests and nuns would wear them to mortify the flesh...lest they get too happy about being alive. Made of very rough burlap or other icky scratchy material. Some even wore them to bed. Most effective when worn over self inflicted whip marks.

And in my observation...it seems these dancers wear them all the time.

AHAHAHAHAHA
Laughing so hard i'm ..cr.:..cr.:..cr.:

Originally Posted by anala

At a distance it could almost look like a cover

Like from Syria?

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I think they're to keep you trim too!

I did wonder at one point if the belly chain was a means for some Cairo dancers to go "oh but I *am* covering my belly, look there is a chain amidst these 20 tons of body glitter." At a distance it could almost look like a cover of some sort....

That is actually why many Cairo dancers wear them. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

No! Thats a cover!?

I! KNEW! IT!

I think it's what we in my land call "taking the piss" of the law.

Ooh, I wonder if this means that dancers over a certain size in troupes will be made to wear belly chains now?

LOL - I used to go to a gym where one of the trainers would tie a string around your belly for this reason. You had to keep your abs tight though the workout or it would cut into your "flabby bits".

Gotta say - it was a pretty effective training tool.
Not sure if I'd want to wear a belly chain ALL the time tho.

oh I dont want too...but the fact that it is made of rhinestones mitigates that somewhat. Lets just call it an external lap band experiment.

Originally Posted by anala

Lets just call it an external lap band experiment.

Anala, my god woman...I think you've missed your true calling as the first belly dancing stand-up comedian.

For extra mortification, you could also flagellate yourself with your cane!

The one with the sequins sewn on it..for xtra pope points

Originally Posted by anala

The one with the sequins sewn on it..for xtra pope points

Rotflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can we make it a competition??? If I hit my elbow, 10 pope points, knee 20 pope points, etc. If I actually break a kneecap can I get a plenary indulgence?

OOOO you were a good Catholic girl!! Or are..either way, I am impressed!

Originally Posted by anala

OOOO you were a good Catholic girl!! Or are..either way, I am impressed!

Heh heh. Long story, and I am not one for much personal disclosure online, but the basic deal is: raised with no religion (just encouraged to explore and ask questions), "found" Catholicism when I was in junior high (well, Catholic junior high), decided to convert (non-religious parents HORRIFIED by this but still supported me), was HYPER religious throughout my adolescence (attending mass multiple times a week, confession every couple of weeks, Rosary multiple times a day, etc...but my fave music was Ozzy Osbourne; go figure), then started asking questions again, and well, here I am, back in happy agnosticism...

One might say that instead of going through a rebellious teen phase I went through a popish phase.

I was a popophile by choice from ages 10 to 14, yes indeedy..every day..got hooked on the sensation of being sin free for that scant 2 seconds till the brain said B.J. , Penis, I hate my Mom...or some such and then back on the ole mea culpa trail I went ... the compulsion for perfection takes many paths!

Originally Posted by anala

I was a popophile by choice from ages 10 to 14, yes indeedy..every day..got hooked on the sensation of being sin free for that scant 2 seconds till the brain said B.J. , Penis, I hate my Mom...or some such and then back on the ole mea culpa trail I went ... the compulsion for perfection takes many paths!

OMG! Yes! That's exactly how it was! Or if I'd have a "sexy dream" (why do I feel the need to say that in a Borat voice?) off to confession I would go!

Ah, Anala, methinks we have much in common! If we meet in real life, we should don our belly chains and popify the town!

..l;,..l;,..l;,