Turkish Bellydance

An excellent album of authentic and genuine Turkish belly dance music, artistically directed by the acclaimed belly dancer Shahrazat. Production and arrangements by Özer Senay. Recorded in Turkey with traditional Turkish instruments. For dancers, this gives you a variety of turkish songs to perform to.

Belly Dance

Belly Dance is said to be Turkish by origin. It first started in the harems of the Ottoman Empire. Female dancers and musicians were used to entertain the women living in the harems. Belly dance was not performed for men. Religion forbade women to dance in public and to perform in theatrical plays. As a result of these limitations, at wedding ceremonies and gatherings which were attended by both men and woman, belly dance was performed by girlish boys called "Kocek". Thus belly dance became a public entertainment.

When the Ottoman Empire ended and Turkey became a republic, religious limitations were lifted and female dancers could now perform belly dance publicly. A special kind of clothing was adopted leaving the belly uncovered. The dancer's legs were half covered by transparent material. Ever since that time this type of costume has been characteristic for belly dance.

In most Arabic cities, which had been under Ottoman reign for centuries, Turkish belly dance was very much in favour and readily adopted. In Arabic belly dance the dancers had to have their bellies covered and performed to Arabic music.