APIMESA unveils belly dance history
Tanya Kollar '08
Issue date: 5/2/07 Section: Features
Last Wednesday, as a part of APIMESA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Asian) Heritage Month at Wheaton, students enjoyed an information and demonstration session by Boston professional belly dancer Deborah Calcagno-Zolla. But why bring belly dancing to Wheaton?
For starters, it provides a unique way to achieve and maintain physical fitness. Belly dancing is also important in that it predates both Islam and Christianity, and has evolved over thousands of years through a variety of cultures into the eclectic mix of styles that we find today. However, the main reason that Assistant Dean of Advising and Multicultural Resources Raquel Ramos, the coordinator of the event, decided to bring belly dancing to Wheaton was that she saw this beautiful art form being negatively perceived by individuals unfamiliar with the origins and cultural significance of the dance.
"There are a lot of misconceptions about what the dance is. It's not meant to be cheap or crude, but actually very feminine. I thought this would give a great venue to address the culture of it," said Ramos.
As attendees of this event found out, there is indeed a world of cultural and historical background to belly dancing, starting with its unconfirmed origins in Egypt. Belly dancing found its unfortunate beginnings in harems, or early brothels, where wealthy and powerful men would enslave poor woman to dance for their entertainment. Having nothing else to divert themselves with between shows, the women practiced, modified, and perfected their sensual dance techniques.
Belly dancing also served as an ancient fertility ritual that mimics sexual acts, thus supposedly enhancing a woman's ability to become pregnant. Some believe that the dance was also meant to symbolize the various stages in a woman's life, from "playful adolescence" to "flirtatious adulthood."
Although the significance of belly dancing can be traced back to female rituals and symbols, men also practice this joyful dance technique, but in a slightly different form.
Belly dancing was brought to the Western world with the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, much to the appreciation of such contemporary Western belly dancers as Deborah. She first tried belly dancing in 1978, and by 1980 had entered into her first competition. Deborah then began working through an agent, landing spots performing at some of Boston's hottest dining and entertainment venues.
"It was the best part-time job I've ever had," Zolla said.
Although known as Deborah in normal life, she goes by Kahlena when exhibiting her impressively graceful dance techniques. Kahlena means "let us," which Deborah explained signifies the desire to please her audience and show them a fun time.
For more information on belly dancing classes, contact Raquel Ramos at the Multicultural Center.
For starters, it provides a unique way to achieve and maintain physical fitness. Belly dancing is also important in that it predates both Islam and Christianity, and has evolved over thousands of years through a variety of cultures into the eclectic mix of styles that we find today. However, the main reason that Assistant Dean of Advising and Multicultural Resources Raquel Ramos, the coordinator of the event, decided to bring belly dancing to Wheaton was that she saw this beautiful art form being negatively perceived by individuals unfamiliar with the origins and cultural significance of the dance.
"There are a lot of misconceptions about what the dance is. It's not meant to be cheap or crude, but actually very feminine. I thought this would give a great venue to address the culture of it," said Ramos.
As attendees of this event found out, there is indeed a world of cultural and historical background to belly dancing, starting with its unconfirmed origins in Egypt. Belly dancing found its unfortunate beginnings in harems, or early brothels, where wealthy and powerful men would enslave poor woman to dance for their entertainment. Having nothing else to divert themselves with between shows, the women practiced, modified, and perfected their sensual dance techniques.
Belly dancing also served as an ancient fertility ritual that mimics sexual acts, thus supposedly enhancing a woman's ability to become pregnant. Some believe that the dance was also meant to symbolize the various stages in a woman's life, from "playful adolescence" to "flirtatious adulthood."
Although the significance of belly dancing can be traced back to female rituals and symbols, men also practice this joyful dance technique, but in a slightly different form.
Belly dancing was brought to the Western world with the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, much to the appreciation of such contemporary Western belly dancers as Deborah. She first tried belly dancing in 1978, and by 1980 had entered into her first competition. Deborah then began working through an agent, landing spots performing at some of Boston's hottest dining and entertainment venues.
"It was the best part-time job I've ever had," Zolla said.
Although known as Deborah in normal life, she goes by Kahlena when exhibiting her impressively graceful dance techniques. Kahlena means "let us," which Deborah explained signifies the desire to please her audience and show them a fun time.
For more information on belly dancing classes, contact Raquel Ramos at the Multicultural Center.
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