Belly dance facts for kids
A belly dance is a Middle Eastern type of dancing. In the Arabic language, it is called raqs sharqi (رقص شرقي, which means "oriental dance"). The dance involves movement of many different parts of the body; usually in a circular way. The term "Belly dance" is translated from the French "danse du ventre". However, this dance is done by every part of the body. The most featured body part usually is the hips. Belly dancing is very different depending on country and region, both in costume and dance style.
History
Belly dancing came from the dances performed in the Middle East and North Africa. One theory is that belly dance may have come from Arab, a dance when the Arabians were worshipping a goddess. A third theory is that belly dance was always danced just for entertainment.
Another theory is that belly dance was originally danced by women for women in the Levant, and North Africa.
Images for kids
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Spaniard Dalilah (Adelaida Angulo) in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza, 1957.
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Egyptian dancer Shafiqa El qibtia (1851–1926) wearing the dancing suit.
See also
In Spanish: Danza del vientre para niños
