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This year for diversity week, the West Virginia University Belly Dance Club put on a presentation Monday night to provide WVU students interested in belly dancing some cultural background.
WVU Belly Dance Club president Genevieve Larimer began with a PowerPoint slideshow presentation that explained the history of belly dancing by Narah, a local instructor and performer.
"Belly dancing releases so many different emotions that you are unable to express anywhere else," Narah said. "Not to mention the tremendous physical benefits and the creative outlet that it opens you up to."
Originally known as "raks sharki" in the Middle East or "al-sharqi" in Egypt, belly dancing originated in ancient Indian temple dances and fertility cults and was used to separate sacred and secular, according to the presentation.
Belly dancing also has origins in countries such as Syria, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.
According to the presentation, belly dancing began around 500 C.E. by the Romani, reached America in the late 1800s and was mostly made famous by Little Egypt’s "dance that shocked Chicago."
Jill Parker, a member of the Fat Chance Belly Dance team, was probably the first person to help belly dancing receive worldwide popularity, according to Narah’s presentation.
After Narah’s slideshow presentation, the members of the dance club began to demonstrate the different styles that are performed in different cultures.
Narah started the group off with a solo performance of a traditional Egyptian Cane Dance. As she danced around with her cane in the air, she showed the types of movements seen in this dance.
Other dances performed were examples of an American Tribal Style piece and a Vintage Oriental piece.
"When I first saw belly dancers on stage, I immediately knew that I had to do this and started taking lessons a week later," Narah said. "I have even travelled to different countries and festivals to be inspired."
Lauren Collins, a WVU senior international studies major, has always been intrigued by any form of diversity.
"Being the kind of person I am. I love the different aspects of diversity and always enjoy seeing different traditions from different cultures," Collins said.
As for Monday’s performance, Collins said she found it to be enjoyable.
"I thought it was really interesting and the information we learned was cool. I was also really impressed with the variety," Collins said.
Though Collins seemed to have an interest in the traditional style of dancing, she’s not sure if she’ll ever learn how to move her hips in such a manner.
"I love to watch ‘Shimmy’ on FitTV, but I don’t know if I have that much control over my body like they do," Collins said.
Anyone interested in the WVU Belly Dance Club or wanting to know more about where to receive lessons can visit www.tribalbellydance.net.
For other information, go to www.wvubellydance.com.
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