Belly dance facts for kids
Belly dance is a special type of dancing that comes from the Middle East and North Africa. In the Arabic language, it is called raqs sharqi, which means "oriental dance." Even though it's called "belly dance," it uses movements from many parts of the body. The hips are often the most important part. This dance often involves circular movements. The style and costumes of belly dance can look very different depending on the country or region.
History of Belly Dance
Belly dancing has a long history, starting in the Middle East and North Africa. People have different ideas about where it came from.
One idea is that belly dance might have started from ancient dances. These dances were sometimes part of worshipping a goddess.
Another idea is that belly dance was always performed just for fun and entertainment.
A third idea suggests that belly dance was originally danced by women for other women. This happened in places like the Levant (which includes countries like Syria and Lebanon) and North Africa.
See also
In Spanish: Danza del vientre para niños
Images for kids
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Spaniard Dalilah in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza, 1957.
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Egyptian dancer Shafiqa El qibtia (1851–1926) wearing a dancing suit.
