Gilded Serpent presents...

Indonesia’s Introduction to Belly Dance

Christine

The Mainstream Media’s Influence

by Fahmia
posted March 19, 2009

We Indonesians were a little slow to catch on to belly dance in comparison with our neighbouring Asian countries. Nowadays though, things are changing rapidly in this archipelago. Since around 2006, belly dance has taken off in a big way, figuratively groaning under the heavy weight of national mainstream media attention that has been piled onto it for the past two years.

Dance teachers and aerobics instructors across the archipelago have capitalised on what they may well see as the latest ‘lifestyle trend’. From large urban cities to smaller towns in the outer parts of Indonesia, you’re likely to find classes full of women hip-dropping their jingly hip scarves to their hearts’ content.

Extensive mainstream media attention has been a mixed bag of blessings and, well, “somewhat less than blessings,” as most Indonesians would diplomatically say.

Since early 2007, Bellydance Jakarta (where I’m a student) and Christine Yaven (its founder) have been featured in at least 20 print publications (women’s magazines, newspapers, journals) and invited to two commercial radio talk shows and at least five prime time television appearances. That’s without even including online magazine articles. Phew! "Great!" you say, "Amazing coverage." So, what’s the problem?

For every sound article written on belly dance recognising it as a respected and ancient art form on par with other respected dance styles or listing benefits such as empowerment, body confidence, sisterhood, stress alleviation and just plain fun, there’s always another story lurking around on some television station, showing footage of ‘belly dancers’ in darkly lit cafes and nightclubs—as Akon put it—“windin’ and grindin’ up on that pole.”

Well, sometimes sans pole. You get my point. It’s the same in many countries, I’m sure. I’m sure that every single reader is familiar with the undeserving connotations linked to this ancient art form.

We fully realise that mainstream media attention will wane after several years, and those interested in belly dance simply as a passing fancy or trying to cash in on this ‘trend’ will move on to other things. When that happens, we hope that all the work our community has done to show and inform the public will ensure that belly dance in Indonesia is showcased with the dignity and appreciation it amply deserves.  

As a community, we’re proudly growing in number, and there is a true sense of cohesiveness and comradeship I’ve never encountered anywhere else. Christine focuses on ensuring clean technique among her students and on impressing upon us cultural and historical values embodied in the dance. Bellydance Jakarta also hosts workshops several times a year, previously having engaged legendary exponents such as Tamalyn Dallal (all our students love her!), and having Hadia of Canada set to come in April this year.  

Belly dance in Indonesia is still in its infancy. With a growing number of true devotees of this dance, its future looks bright, with endless exciting possibilities.

x
Hanna, Lingkan, Fahmia, Ria

x
Fahmia, Hanna, Helen, Santi
Christine is the dancer at the top of the page.

 

 

Have a comment? Send us a letter! Or add your comments below.
Check the "Letters to the Editor" for other possible viewpoints!

Ready for more?

  • Sahba Motallebi demonstrates the Tar and Setar,
    Also included is footage of Sahba on stage performing with Bahram Osqueezadeh on the Persian Santur and Rowan Storm on the frame drum. 
  • Tribute to Bert: Photos from the GS files
    Bert’s memorial page, please add your comments, thank you.
  • So, If You Cut up a Rose, is it still a Flower? Fusing Bellydance With Other Dance Forms
    A reader’s position at this point will depend on whether you think that bellydance and Middle Eastern dance are one and the same, and whether you feel any particular sense of ownership over either one of those terms.
  • Dancing with Legends: Interview of Freddie Elias Part 3: A Serious Accident
    I put it (the cigarette) out and I looked at my watch, it was quarter past four. I woke up three days later.
  • Making (and Re-making) Choreography: Moving Forward, Moving Backward, Moving!
    As soon as you set the first movement, one of those options has been limited. Then, when you make a second choice, a third, and a forth, the possibilities get smaller and smaller. The process is, essentially, painting yourself into a corner, and by the time you set the last count, the song is done; the choices are over, and they have become inevitable, solid. They stand on their own—without you, potential-less. Pens down! Flip the paper over. Choices have been made.
  • Munique Neith’s Studio: What You are Missing if You aren’t in Barcelona!
    What inspired me to write this article was not only the unbelievable setup that is presented in Barcelona, but the fact that I have never truly felt the warmth and compassion from any situation in the dance world that I have from Munique, her husband Albert and their studio. They were warm, receptive, and incredibly gracious
  • Its All in the Flavor! Bellydance in Mexico
    Those were tough times for us teachers. Students were very shy in the classroom but eager to learn; some of them even thought that Shakira had created Bellydance! They didn’t have much information about Oriental Dance, its origins, or different styles. Some aspiring dancers even sat through several classes just to check out what Bellydance was or if we teachers danced it as well as Shakira.
  1. Christine

    Mar 20, 2009 - 08:03:15

    Hi there,
    Just wanted to mention that the photo at the top of the page was taken by Denise Marino.
    Thank you
    Christine

Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.