Thread: History of the Dance...?

So I am just now engaging in a discussion on bellydance and its "erotic" history (??), and I wondered if anyone here was willing to share their knowledge in the tribe thread in which I am discussing it. It is turning into an interesting discussion, and I am interested in some other perspectives.

PLEASE, this is not a "ganging up" on kind of thing. I am not interested in people tactlessly running over and trying to humiliate anyone or shut their research or experiences down. I am seeking those who have other viewpoints to add to the discussion ONLY. The thread is here:

dancing at a fetish event, part II - Tribal Belly Dance - tribe.net

I admire so many of the intelligent, well-spoken dancers here in Bhuz, and would appreciate some varying insights. Additionally, I think it would behoove us Bhuzzers to touch base with some of the young and passionate dancers on Tribe to share those insights, and to encourage them in intellectual discourse and research in our dance.

1. Belly dance can done by a group of women who seek to do nothing more than have fun.

2.Belly dance can be a theatrical performance of taste (either erotic or not) and enjoyed, because of the skill of the performer, by men and women and families.

3. Belly dance can be done by women ( and men ) to arouse those they wish to for various reasons be they monetary or sexual.Historically, North African and Middle eastern women must have "clicked" they could prise good money out of open eyed Western audiences/travellers by doing very sensual things with their hips and bellies and bosoms either at World Fairs or back home.

4. Some men and women are turned on more by a dancer with more clothing than by those who leave nothing to the imagination.

5. Belly dance can be sleazy or engagingly powerful, colourful and joyful or darkly mysterious, high art or low life, a solitary or communal activity, theraputic and healing or traumatic in the extreme, a sisterhood thing or a bitchfest..that's why I love it!..g.:

Originally Posted by lizajuk

1. Belly dance can done by a group of women who seek to do nothing more than have fun.

2.Belly dance can be a theatrical performance of taste (either erotic or not) and enjoyed, because of the skill of the performer, by men and women and families.

3. Belly dance can be done by women ( and men ) to arouse those they wish to for various reasons be they monetary or sexual.Historically, North African and Middle eastern women must have "clicked" they could prise good money out of open eyed Western audiences/travellers by doing very sensual things with their hips and bellies and bosoms either at World Fairs or back home.

4. Some men and women are turned on more by a dancer with more clothing than by those who leave nothing to the imagination.

5. Belly dance can be sleazy or engagingly powerful, colourful and joyful or darkly mysterious, high art or low life, a solitary or communal activity, theraputic and healing or traumatic in the extreme, a sisterhood thing or a bitchfest..that's why I love it!..g.:

Well said, maybe you should enter that IAMED essay contest!

I glanced at the discussion and there were some good and thoughtful posts there. Not sure I could add much.

There's something for everyone in this world and if one wants to market oneself to fetish events, one can do that.

Just about anything is erotic to SOMEBODY, it seems.