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All shook up: New trends ripple belly dancing community
June 28, 1997
Web posted at: 3:17 p.m. EDT (1917 GMT)From Correspondent Gayle Young
CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- A new trend in belly dancing has traditionalists shaking.
The designers of the exotic costumes say their age-old art form is in danger of being bumped off by modern styles and cheap ripoffs.
One such designer, Ahmed Diaa Eddin, has been in the business since he was 15. Workers in his shop painstakingly sew by hand the thousands of beads and glitter that make up the elaborate costumes.
An outspoken critic of counterfeit costumes, Eddin says it's his patriotic duty to defend the traditional design, which is individually sculpted to fit each dancer.
"I create each dress to accommodate the dancer's figure. Sometimes one will have a big stomach and small breasts, but I can take care of those problems," Eddin said.
But some popular dancers, who have nothing to hide with their hourglass figures, are seeking to wear something more chic, than cheek. Many also prefer the light weight of the new dresses. Traditional dresses can sometimes weigh up to 15 pounds, or 6 kilos.
New trend in belly dancing has traditionalists shaking
2 min. 15 sec. VXtreme video
And non-Egyptians are peppering Cairo's traditional belly dancing shows with new steps and new outfits.
For Eddin though, it's the decline in quality costume workmanship that gets him all shook up. "Foreigners come and always are looking for the cheapest dresses. The quality is just not up to par."
Most of the bargains can be found in the capital's bustling Khan Al-Khalili market, where dancers can find just about any shimmering style they want.
"I've been to Morocco, but you have variety here," said Jennifer, a dancer from Trinidad who only gave her first name. She said she comes to the Egyptian market every year.
Egyptians claim to have perfected the art of the sinuous hip movement and twisting of the abdomen more than a thousand years ago. Now many are hoping belly dancing is not robbed of its beauty.
Related sites:
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- What is Belly Dance?
- What is Middle Eastern dance?
- Bellydance : Fact & Fantasy
- Belly Dance Links
- Costumes for Various Styles of Oriental Dance
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