Belly dance amplifies the power of seduction, expresses joy and brings good luck

The magic that takes over Jade and Lucas - and of Latifa and Mohamed, and Yvete and Leônidas, other characters in The Clone that live all the seduction of belly dancing - is the same as the energy that the high priestess of ancient Egypt, around the 5th century B.C., awakened by searching a greater integration with the universe in parties honoring godess Isis.


Belly dancing even then - it is said that it appeared in Egypt, created by an african slave named Bes in honor of Hathor, the god-mother of egyptians - was associated

with the fertility of the earth, that, in dance, is reminded by the ondulating movements of the female womb.


That explains why dance is so much associated with female seduction, although it is also a display of joy and good luck. In The Clone, for example, that portrays a significant part of habits in Morocco, a belly dancer is always invited to perform in wedding parties, birthdays and other celebrations. But that has not always been so.

It's all seduction

In the last seven thousand years, there have been circumstances where belly dancing saw the breaking of the delicate thread that keeps it in the frontier of seduction and pornography, between sensual and sexual.


At the time that the dance was confined to palaces and harems, the dancers were divided into two categories: awalin (those that performed for the elite) and ghawazee (those that danced in the streets and were prostitutes). Much persecution for religious and political reasons also marked the history of this dance: Napoleon, for example, when invading Egypt in the 19th century, had 400 dancers

that performed for french soldiers beheaded.

Each dance, a meaning

There are many kinds of belly dances, each one with a meaning.


The sword dance symbolizes the opening of paths and defeat of enemies.


The tambourine dance serves to show joy. That's why it is so common in parties.


The dagger dance represents sex, tranformation and death.

The dance with snujs (steel cymbals) is to positively energize an environment.


In the seven veils dance, each one represents a gate - beauty, love, health, fertility, power, magic, and the control of time -, which is surpassed as the dancer removes them.

Pure feminineness

All details of the outfit used in belly dancing - including makeup and bijouterie - try to emphasize the feminineness of the dancer.


Everything should guarantee the charm of her movements. Clothing is usually semitransparent and adorned with bangles, beads, coins and small pieces of glass.


The set includes a top, belt , pant or skirt - in models known as Fire, Water (or Full Moon), Earth and Air.

But to make evident the contact with mother-earth, it is better that she does not wear shoes. But she can abuse the use of bracelets, wristbands, necklaces, coins and earrings. And use handkerchiefs over the face.


In islamic countries, dancers cannot show their bodies much nor show their navels. They use an embroidered leotard or belt and a precious stone on their womb.




Further reading:

Symphony of colors "Directing The Clone was like conducting an orchestra", says Jayme Monjardim