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
Published inRevista Brasileira de Estudos da Presença Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 1
Main Authors Naiara Müssnich Rotta Gomes de Assunção, Nina Ingrid Caputo Paschoal
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Porto Alegre Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, GETEPE - Grupo de Estudos em Educação, Teatro e Performance 01.01.2022
Subjects
19th century
Archives & records
Artistic representation (Imitation)
Belly dancing
Colonialism
Colonies & territories
Cultural history
Dance
Humanities
Literary criticism
Museums
Orientalism
Political factors
Postcolonialism
Said, Edward
Travel literature
Middle East
Europe
Egypt
North Africa
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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
DOI:10.1590/2237-2660113430