The History & Culture of Bellydance

Title of Event: The History & Culture of Bellydance

Description of Event:

Belly Dance or ‘danse du ventre’ as it was previously coined in French, was used to forcibly categorize dances across Northern Africa under one umbrella. While Raqs Baladi is a more appropriate terminology to reference 'dances of the country' and Raqs Sharqi to reference Oriental Dance today, this session will delve into dance forms that existed prior to and during colonization: Hagala, Alexandrian, Melaya Leff, Henna, Semsemiya, Bambotiya, Dahia, Mashreqiya, Debka, Fallahi, Ghawazee, Gypsy, Baladi, Jawary, Awalem, Oriental, Saidi, Tahtieb game, Bedouin, Kaffafa, Zagala, Burmia Baharia, and 14 different types of Nubian dances, Whiplash, Hosit

The presentation will not be centering Western interpretations of Belly dance. We will also be investigating invented traditions, the concept of nationality, and subjugation of dancers and sex workers.

What to Expect:
- Authentic representations of dances of Egypt
- Analysis of the feminization, sexualization and commodification of dances & sex workers
- Archival videos of the dances from across the country including the first movie to be censored by the US media because the dancer was shimmying

Who This Space is For:
- Dancers, Dance Enthusiasts, Performers
- History Nerds, Educators, Researchers
- Anyone interested in learning about Orientalism and its impact on not just daily life but clinical, therapeutic and academic spaces

Start Date: 11-07-2026

End Date: 11-07-2026

Time of Event: 4:00pm Eastern

Location: Online Synchronous

Sexuality Education (SE) Training:

SE-A. Sexuality education training will include, but is not limited to: theory and methods of general education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE-D. Theory and methods of approaches to sexuality education with specific populations (e.g., youth, older adults, couples, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities).

Presenter/Speaker: Nishita Rao

Company/Organization Sponsor: Zepp Wellness

Main Contact: Melissa Trujillo

Contact Email: equitablecarecertification@gmail.com

Event Website: https://equitablecarecertification.com/workshops

ASECT Approved CEs: 2