Belly dance: contemporary images

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8042.2024.e95729

Keywords:

Belly dance, Human movement, Phenomenology

Abstract

The history of belly dancing is often attributed to ancient ritualistic practices in the Middle East. This narrative hardly holds up as a historical fact. However, some images are essential in generating meanings about this dance as an expressive manifestation today. The article's objective is to investigate the main factors related to movement present in belly dancing, taking into account its symbolic and expressive aspects, to identify the meanings of this dance for Brazilian dancers. The study follows a phenomenological orientation that seeks to describe the images of belly dancing revealed in field research. Narratives associated with the feminine are recurrent and suggest a powerful elaboration, which dialogues with ancestry and is updated in a contemporary way. The dance takes on an existential and unique meaning for those who dance but reveals a universal expressive potential.

 

Author Biographies

Thais da Silva Baptista, University of São Paulo

Master in Sciences, in the area of ​​Sociocultural and Behavioral Studies of Physical Education and Sport, by EEFE-USP. Currently living in Lisbon (Portugal), with no active institutional bond.

Soraia Chung Saura, University of São Paulo

PhD in Anthropology of Imaginary at Faculty of Education, University of São Paulo (FE-USP). Professor at the Department of Pedagogy of Human Body Movement at the School of Physical Education and Sports at the University of São Paulo. Advisor in the Graduate Programs of the Faculty of Education of the University of São Paulo (Culture, Philosophy and History of Education) and of the School of Physical Education and Sport of the University of São Paulo (Sociocultural Studies of Human Movement).

Ana Cristina Zimmermann, University of São Paulo

PhD in Education at Federal University of Santa Catarina (USFC) with an internship abroad (Bolsa Capes/PDEE), University of Nottingham. Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport at the University of São Paulo (EEFE-USP). One of the coordinators of the PULA Study Group at the Center for Sociocultural Studies of the Human Movement (EEFE/USP), member of Lab_Arte - Experimental Laboratory of Art-Education & Culture (FEUSP) and associated researcher to the Institut des Sciences du Sport-Santé de Paris, UFR/STAPS of the University of Paris.

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Published

2024-03-11

How to Cite

da Silva Baptista, T., Chung Saura, S., & Zimmermann, A. C. (2024). Belly dance: contemporary images. Motrivivência, 36(67). https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8042.2024.e95729

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