Orientalism and the American Belly Dancer: Multiplicity, Authenticity, Identity
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Overview
Overview
Abstract
Modern belly dance began in Cairo as Arab women's reinscription of Western theater and orientalist performance, and was brought to American by Arab and Turkish artists already a fusion art. In North America, it has transformed into radically different forms, each with distinct varieties of orientalist practice and varied relationships with a diverse Arab community. This paper discusses three variations (fitness belly dance, tribal style, and Egyptian style as practiced by non-Arab dancers whose inspiration and instruction comes from Egypt and other performing centers in the Arab world.
