Thread: bellydance book recommendations

Can anyone recommend some good books that explain the history, culture, and diffeerent dance styles? I'm just trying to learn more about this beautiful form and where it came from, etc.
Thanks!

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Trade-like-Any-Other-Singers/dp/0292787235]Amazon.com: "A Trade like Any Other": Female Singers and Dancers in Egypt (9780292787230): Karin van Nieuwkerk: Books[/ame]
by Karin Van Nieuwkerk
More a scholarly discourse on the place of female singers & dancers in Egyptian society, than perhaps what you are looking for, this is an invaluable book for the Belly Dancer/Middle Eastern style dancer. Readable, enlightening, researched thoroughly. With pictures too.

My list of suggested books can be found here: Shira's Reading List for Belly Dancers

Keti Sharif's book is good for an overview of styles.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Nile-Women-Dance-World/dp/1566563003]Amazon.com: Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World (9781566563000): Wendy Buonaventura: Books[/ame]

It isn't everyone's cup of tea and has been around for a while but has a wealth of "Orientalist" paintings which are delicious if non-PC. As long as you keep in mind, like any book this is one person's slant on the dance,it's worth a read. The new edition (with a diff cover) contains a chapter on ATS and tribal.

Originally Posted by LiesaB.

Amazon.com: "A Trade like Any Other": Female Singers and Dancers in Egypt (9780292787230): Karin van Nieuwkerk: Books
by Karin Van Nieuwkerk
More a scholarly discourse on the place of female singers & dancers in Egyptian society, than perhaps what you are looking for, this is an invaluable book for the Belly Dancer/Middle Eastern style dancer. Readable, enlightening, researched thoroughly. With pictures too.

I second this. Very interesting for placing the dance in a cultural context.

Also, along the same line, I recommend the DVD "The Bellydancers of Cairo" documentary. If you have Netflix (or don't mind getting a free trial), you can get it from them.

May I also suggest the History of Finger Cymbals in the Sagat Speak booklet? It takes the dance back from present day to the origins 15,000 years ago?
Yasmin Henkesh | Sagat Speak - Egyptian Finger Cymbals | CD Baby