Belly Dance, the Ancient Art

Greetings.

After reading another user's post in this forum, I was curious to start a discussion on the same subject, but focus on a different aspect of it, and hear the opinions of others.

By now we all know that one of the most cherished art form to the Asetian women is the art of belly dance. When I close my eyes and imagine how the Asetian women embrace this art, a question comes to my mind: What would they do differently than the belly dancers of this generation? What would make their approach to belly dance different than the dancers in our days? What changed overtime, and are the Asetian women still embracing this art like they did in the ancient days?

Because somehow, in my mind, I automatically begin visualizing belly dancers of our days to replacement the image of the Asetian women, which I know is incorrect.

I am sure that their approach to this ancient art would be extremely different, even today. For example, they must have done this dance in a ritual form, combining their movements with gestures of magick. Perhaps molding, changing and charging the energies around them as they move. But there must be more differences.

And, of course, the secrecy and divinity behind their dance, is something that the dancers of today do not possess. What started as a divine dance, ended up becoming something so commercial and mundane. I believe that this is the biggest downfall in what supposedly "evolved" and changed overtime.

Overall, the subject of this art form inspires many thoughts within me, and I would like to hear other's opinions on this subject.

Aghrab

I can never view the old bellydancers (Asetians) as the ones of today. But I understand why you did. Maybe your eyes have seen too many new age dancesr that it gets hard to imagine something different.

To me they are world's apart. The Asetians basically started this dance in the form of praise and ritual, an art that is to Aset, no? That is my understanding of this art. But nowadays people use it to make money and use it for publicity, which takes away the entire divinity and beauty of it. They took an ancient art form that started as a spiritual and divine "movement", and turned it into something low, especially the dancers of our generation, this very day. And some even try to trace back their dance to the ancients, which may be a bit insulting to the Asetians in my opinion. It makes me sad, but well.... they make the Asetians look more beautiful and divine. I guess this huge contrast isn't that bad for the Asetians.

Interesting post though. Very thought provoking.

Aghrab wrote:Greetings.

After reading another user's post in this forum, I was curious to start a discussion on the same subject, but focus on a different aspect of it, and hear the opinions of others.

By now we all know that one of the most cherished art form to the Asetian women is the art of belly dance. When I close my eyes and imagine how the Asetian women embrace this art, a question comes to my mind: What would they do differently than the belly dancers of this generation? What would make their approach to belly dance different than the dancers in our days? What changed overtime, and are the Asetian women still embracing this art like they did in the ancient days?

Because somehow, in my mind, I automatically begin visualizing belly dancers of our days to replacement the image of the Asetian women, which I know is incorrect.

I am sure that their approach to this ancient art would be extremely different, even today. For example, they must have done this dance in a ritual form, combining their movements with gestures of magick. Perhaps molding, changing and charging the energies around them as they move. But there must be more differences.

And, of course, the secrecy and divinity behind their dance, is something that the dancers of today do not possess. What started as a divine dance, ended up becoming something so commercial and mundane. I believe that this is the biggest downfall in what supposedly "evolved" and changed overtime.

Overall, the subject of this art form inspires many thoughts within me, and I would like to hear other's opinions on this subject.

Aghrab

It is so many different kinds of belly dance today .....
So It is very hard to say, but some claim that the Egyptian one is the closest to the original....

But my personal opinion is that it has to be a mix between them all, but which part is hard to say...

But i must say that I really like sword belly dance , I have tried it , but I cant say I´am good at it, and off course I didn't have the right sword ether :S a samurai sword isn't that efficient

But it is impressive : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJWdPAGWOf8

Sincerely Divine

I can imagine 1001 ways of magick moviments. But, i ask you all, Do you believe that Asetian bellydancers dance for they lovers by Lucid Dreaming?

Stalker wrote:I can imagine 1001 ways of magick moviments. But, i ask you all, Do you believe that Asetian bellydancers dance for they lovers by Lucid Dreaming?

You mean "dancing in the astral for their lovers"? Or something else?

Divine 277 wrote:But i must say that I really like sword belly dance , I have tried it , but I cant say I´am good at it, and off course I didn't have the right sword ether :S a samurai sword isn't that efficient

But it is impressive : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJWdPAGWOf8

Sincerely Divine

Nice video, thanks for sharing. That is really sensual and moving... feels like ancient female warriors.

Aghrab, I really have no clue, but you peeked my curiosity.... I will take a stab in the dark, though I have not given much thought
to this subject. Here goes...

Every form of dance has its own distinct and unique beauty, and is in fact a form of art. Some bellydancers do it because they love to dance, but I think the better ones, are also great at other forms of dance which would make the individual more versatile, thus overall a better dancer... Certainly, there have been, and currently are bellydancers that only do it to earn a living. Often bellydancers, today and in the past, are/were looked down upon in some societies, although, I do not follow this form of thinking, it still exists, as it was with the Geisha, etc. For the bellydancers that earn a living doing something they love, well then they are very fortunate. Wouldn't we all love to make a living doing something we love?

Now onto the Asetian belly dancing: I imagine an Asetian dancer (what ever the style) must truly be something that we cannot even begin to imagine, due in part to their perfectionist nature. Every move must be beautiful and magickal, sensuous and exotic, with a touch of their Asetian flare (what ever that may be). I do not think (which I could be very wrong) that the majority of the Asetians that dance, have/would perform for the community. Maybe they perform just for/with other Asetians, or maybe just for their lovers (human or Asetian), or maybe even only in their living rooms. Some could be shy. Perhaps even that may have or does vary upon the lineage, yet even more so on an individual level. I assume that the technicalities of the movements involved with bellydancing, would be somewhat similar today, but yet also more perfected, as the Asetians are always exploring and perfecting as they are always changing and evolving.

While bellydancing is beautiful and exotic, personally I am more intrigued by salsa/tango/swing dancing and the like, as the male and female energies conjoin and perfectly sync together, rhythmically and in timing. I also like to see the masculine energy taking the lead.

Let's also not forget to enjoy other various forms of dancing (I'm sure the Asetians do) that are out there, as many other forms are also exotic too, or even more so. So while belly-dancing may be the most loved dancing for the Asetians as a whole, who knows-- maybe some of the men might also be great dancers- I really think it truly varies per the individual, per incarnation and to where the individual comes from in current incarnation. Example: maybe a Latina Asetian might be a total exotic- ass kicking- Goddess- on the dance floor when it comes to salsa or tango, etc. and in which case, she could leave us in total gasps of aww... Or perhaps she may be African, and some of those tribal dances, and the way those women move, well come on-- it nearly defys the limititations of human movements (haha they make me feel exhausted watching them), yet I truly admire their physical endurance. And dancing, is so embedded in tribal African culture (they have a tribal dance ceremony for nearly everything) which is learned from childhood. Also, many of those tribal beats, are so enticing and trance educing like, that we have to also give credit to the music, as music is powerful. Probably are some powerful Asetian musicians.. Oh but we better not forget the Native Americans too. Depending on the culture, there is also an embedded cultural pride as well leaving roots planted during the current incarnation. I am sure some Asetian women prefer other forms of dance. Maybe some Asetian women may not have much interest in belly dancing, or even any dancing for that matter because they could have two left feet on the floor. I think the allure of the belly dancing is really about the female energy. Women are all beautiful, no matter what we are, or from where we come. An Asetian woman, still goes through the struggles of the world that all women go through (she has to live in it), i.e. fighting for equal rights- equal pay- racism- sexism, though she has a lot more on her plate, and maybe children in the mix too.

By the way--where in the AB does it talk about belly dancing? And sorry, I know I just totally put a different twist out there.....I'm not trying to make things complicated, it's just that I see things more on an individual level. Well, perhaps I have stirred up more questions for thought and discussion.

Oh my goodness-- I'm sorry that was such a long post.

In my opinion, belly dance has a great deal of sexual and aggressive energy , and it has a flout to it, like flying or moving true water.
It has very accurate moments while floating.
It just feels right, I don't need to plan the steps, my body just moves as it feels like, its very liberating ,its a great way of meditating and a grate way of training you sexual muscles skills.


But that is probably individual to all I guess....

Sincerely Divine277

Bellydance is an amazing art, highly connected with the Asetians and their past. I also agree with Divine277, it's a very sexual and agressive dance, that can be used to raise sexual energy and strengthen your sexual muscles and how to use them. Highly connected with the Guardians and Concubines, who are both said to be great dancers, as well as highly sexual beings, known for their selflessness in bed.
I find it very interesting how many women are starting to learn and practice this old art as a way to honor and praise the Asetian women and their culture. It's beautiful...

Interesting post Jonathan. I agree, it's nice how the Asetians inspired so many girls to learn about this art form. Even though I agree with Aghrab, that the art was done in a highly different way in the older days, it's still sweet to know that so many are inspired by the Asetian's art.