Top 10 misconceptions and myths about belly dance - Part 2
6. Belly dance costumes are skimpy – only some types, but there are a lot of belly dance outfits that cover the body much more than a ballet leotard does. See for example beledi dresses or tribal costumes with long and layered skirts. In fact, even some cabaret belly dancers especially in Egypt, wear a thin transparent net to cover their torso when wearing a two piece costume.
7. Belly dancing is easy – just because belly dancing does not force the body into unnatural positions, it does not mean it does not require a lot of training, patience and dedication to achieve those seemingly effortless moves.
8. Belly dancing is all the same – there are in fact a lot of different belly dance styles. From tribal, to cabaret, Egyptian, Turkish and more. Although they all share the same basic vocabulary, they are all different .
9. Belly dancers wear belly rings – some do, but this is not a must for belly dancers nor it is the traditional look, but rather a fashion invented by Hollywood, just like the typical two pieces cabaret costume with bra and veil skirt nowadays adopted by most cabaret style belly dancers.
10. Dancers in the Middle East dance balancing sword on their heads – in reality there is no evidence of dancing with swords in the Middle East, while this is an art invented by the Americans.
Return to Top 10 Articles or to Part 1 of Myths.
