Orientalism in motion: representations of “belly dance” in paintings and travel literature (19th century)

This article analyses representations of “belly dance” in paintings and travel literature produced by Europeans in the 19th century. Locating this dance in time and space, describing characteristics and subjects that were important for the development of this practice, it analyses its deep relations...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Naiara Müssnich Rotta Gomes de Assunção, Nina Ingrid Caputo Paschoal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul 2021-12-01
Series:Revista Brasileira de Estudos da Presença
Subjects:
Online Access:https://seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/presenca/article/view/119200
Description
Summary:This article analyses representations of “belly dance” in paintings and travel literature produced by Europeans in the 19th century. Locating this dance in time and space, describing characteristics and subjects that were important for the development of this practice, it analyses its deep relationship with the colonization process in Egypt. We conclude that the dances practiced by men and, above all, by women in the Egyptian territory in the 19th century underwent European filters and interpretations before consolidating in the West as “belly dancing”. This socio political context left visible marks in the way this body repertoire is performed, represented and reputed today.
ISSN:2237-2660