Want More on Belly Dancing History?

Things have been pretty quiet on this blog for a very long time, but I have some good news. I have created one Belly Dancing blog that covers ALL aspects on Belly Dancing, including Belly Dancing History.

So, please head over there and take a look. I think you'll enjoy it, especially the Legends of Belly Dance series that I have started.

Who Invented Belly Dancing?

Oriental or Middle Eastern dance is actually comprised of many different traditions of dance spanning many centuries. Each region had its own dances which share similarities but also differences in style.

The term Belly Dancing only came into use in the early 20th century as a result of a French revue which called a form of this dance "Danse du ventre" or "Dance of the Stomach." This modern name for the ancient forms of dance encompasses a long tradition of dance, as well as the more modern forms that have developed since, such as Egyptian Cabaret and ATS.