Thread: Glossary of BD terms

I have been searching around as I could really do with some sort of glossary/dictionary/definition list of bellydance moves and terminology. I have found lots of threads about "what is a..." but no comprehensive list.

Is there such a thing on the web somewhere? My biggest issue is where a move has several names and I know one, but if you asked me if I knew that move, using another term for it, I wouldn't know I did!

If there isn't one, then perhaps we could start one? If a poster on the thread took their favourite move, described it and then listed other names it might be known by. Of course it doesn't need to be limited to moves, any other terms (instruments, costuming items, styles) would be very useful to inept newbies like me....

Appealing to the font of belly knowledge

I think the biggest problem with names of movements is there are almost as many names as there are teachers -- especially when you get beyond basics.

But it's still a good idea, for basic movements and other terminology.

Someone (Dani, I think?) started a wiki for us all to add to, but I for one was really lazy about contributing. Does that still exist? Does anyone have the URL & password any more? I can e-mail Dani and ask her if no one does.

As Lauren said, there'd be almost as many answers as dancers - so I'm not so sure how useful it would be. Add to that written descriptions are not always that useful - and no grainy YouTube videos aren't the answer either. You cannot, for instance, always be sure where the weight is. Worse, many of the people who put up YouTube videos are wannabes rather than experienced dancers.

Then you are up against, who decides? Take something as "simple" as a shoulder shimmy. Does that include also a shimmy using the torso (which many people do and call a "shoulder shimmy")? If I'm being vague, I'll use the term to include both. But on occasion I'll require either a "bust shimmy" or a "real" shoulder shimmy.

Finally, how do you wade through it all to find what you want? A few years back when my latest copy of Office arrived with Access I thought I'd create a database of moves, and named combos. Just looking at what I had in my head and notes soon grew to unmanageable. A foot pattern called a "basic" - lots of completely different versions - then there are a range of layers that can be added. Do you keep them with the "basic" or ... ? In the end I tossed the database and end up with phrases like "a Mo Basic (with a hip shimmy by default), with giving arms, shoulder shimmy, and 180 turn on third step" - easier to just show it and everyone goes "oh, one of those like we did in xxx".

try this one....
Movements

Originally Posted by annwyn

try this one....
Movements

Ah the thesauraus on that is handy, I just discovered I can do a maya, ..l;,

if you wait till the whole page loads (which is forever) there are more things on the left side

Dani's wiki is here: Bellydance-o-Pedia wiki - Terms and facts about bellydance, a.k...

Oh that's very handy. Thanks