The Global Transformation of Belly Dancing: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Counter-Hegemonic Responses

• Authors: Ashley M. Popp , Chia-Ju Yen
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The first part of this study, explored by Ashley Popp, presents an investigation into a relatively unexamined area of physical education: an analysis of a transcultural phenomenon in the history of dance. Data has been collected from primary sources and archival evidence to assess competing ideologies inherent in the transformation of a particular art form. In the analysis of the cultural migration through which belly dance was transferred from the Middle East to the United States, an adaptive reaction to the hegemonic relationships of culture, race, gender, and class has been observed. Beyond performance aesthetics, links have been made between the act of belly dancing and the building of women’s self-esteem, as researched by Chia-Ju Yen. The main purpose of her study was to explore how facial burn patients cope with disfigurement and the unfriendly attitudes of others, and examines the alteration of body image via inspiration provided by the performance of belly dance. This research was conducted from the perspective of an anthropologically thickdescription research method, and a case study was performed using in-depth interviews, including narratives by a woman who had suffered facial injuries. The results of the research showed that through family support, hard work and a decisive and studious personality, the patient was able to cope with the discriminatory attitude of others. The performance of belly dance not only made her emphasize her body, but also enriched her life.

Keywords

EN

belly dance; belly; dance; transatlantic; hegemonic theory; transition; social adaptation; social therapy; cultural evolution; history; art; physical education; cultural migration; American Cabaret; American Tribal; feminism; cross-cultural; self-esteem; burn victims; disfigurement

• Publisher: Sciendo
• Journal: Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research
• Year: 2012
• Volume: 55
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 17-29

Dates

received

accepted

online

2012-10-31

Contributors

author

Ashley M. Popp

• North Central College, 2061 Bluemist Drive Aurora, Illinois, 60504 USA

author

Chia-Ju Yen

• National Taiwan Sport University, Taiwan

References

• Badger, R.R. (1979). The Great American Fair: The World's Columbian Exposition and American Culture. Chicago: Nelson Hall.
• "Belly Dancers Told: Change Your Ways" (1967). Chicago Tribune, 22 January 1967: A1. Print.
• Carlton, D. (1994). Looking for Little Egypt. IDD Books.
• Deagon, A. (1998)."In Search of the Origins of Dance." Habibi, Spring.
• Gems, G. (2009). Understanding American Sports. Routledge.
• Gioseffi, D. (1980). Earth Dancing: Mother Nature's Oldest Rite. Stackpole Books.
• Kleiman, C. (1973) "Belly Dancing: It May Be More than It's Shaken Up to Be." Chicago Tribune, 21 April 1973, p. 11. Print.
• "’Little Egypt’ Tells of the Party" (1897). Chicago Daily Tribune, 13 January 1897, p. 4. Print.
• "The Myth of Little Egypt" (1942). Chicago Daily Tribune, 07 May 1942, p. 14. Print.
• "No More Midway Dancing" (1893). The New York Times, 7 December 1893. Print.
• Shay, A. Dancing Across Borders. McFarland & Company, Inc., 2008.
• Shay, A., & Sellers-Young, B. (2005). Belly Dance: Orientalism, Transnationalism, and Harem Fantasy. Mazda. Print.
• Shira (2003). "When Pop Culture Meets Belly Dancing; Here We Go Again!" GildedSerpent.com. 16 June 2003. Retrieved 27 Apr. 2010 from http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles22/shirapopculture.htm
• Stanley, T.L. (2004). "Pop Culture: Belly Dancing Slinks into the Mainstream". Advertising Age, 05 January 2004. Retrieved 27 Apr. 2010 from http://adage.com/article?article_id=97259
• St. Louis (1904). Louisiana Purchase Exposition, The Greatest of Expositions: Completely Illustrated. St. Louis: Sam'l F. Myerson Printing Co.
• Yates, R. (1971). "Women Wiggle into Trimmer Shape with Belly Dancing". Chicago Tribune, 18 November 1971, p. Print.
• ---

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10141-012-0002-7