Fusion confusion
By Ishtar
I have been mixing belly dance with other dance moves/concepts for about ten years. My core language of movements is belly dance. I add moves from other dance styles I have learnt. I find this very stimulating, however Some people don’t like fusion, seeing it as a dilution of the form called ‘belly dance’. I think if they researched the history of belly dance they would see that is has always been a fusion of sorts. Some suggest that the cultures concerned will feel offended. Today’s world is a melting pot. The expanded means of international communication and mix of cultures living in Britain (for example), means we are all influenced by the ethnic communities that live here. This is why fusion dance is actually a reflection of modern life. If we present our fusions in a genuine manner, we can have fun with our interpretation of world dance.
I am also directed to dance ideas by concepts that inspire movement or chorographical stories. My interest in art can make me design dance pieces stimulated by a painting, in particular the Pre-Raphaelites and the Orientalists. Dance inspiration can come from reading about mythology, music, Films, books, cultural and travel experiences. The majority of my performances are however belly dance cabaret. This is because when people book me this is what they want 99% of the time.
The following is a response to an article on the online American magazine ‘Gilded Serpent’.
“To have aspects of your culture imitated is a complement, even if that imitation isn't perfect and is mixed with the taker's own culture. What its saying is: I love what you're doing and want to take a little of it with me into my own world. What's so wrong with that for that matter, belly dancing or raqs sharqi doesn't "belong" to America. No matter what you do, an American dancer can't possibly do as exact a cultural fit as the people from the Middle East can. Isn't it lucky they're more generous with their culture?
If there were no fusion – no dance would ever grow.”
Mala Bhargava
New Delhi, India
New Delhi, India
I remember when their was no ‘tribal dance’, but then those who found the showy world of cabaret not for them, seemed interested in folk and beledi. The costume and attire of the cabaret dancer was/is not seen as ‘true’ belly dance. An American invents a whole new style, ‘Tribal’, still using middle eastern dance vocab, perhaps with some Indian and contemporary moves and this seems to be well received by those not attracted to the ‘lower caste’ ‘cabaret dancer,’ -‘Dancing for money not art’. Prior to her tribal revolution, pin-up girl for tribal dance,- the lovely Rachael Brice, was a cabaret dancer for ten years. Like Tribal, Cabaret is an eclectic mix of dance styles. Put together to look entertaining to observers.
. What fascinates me about tribal dance is that while it may seem creative and its invention certainly is very creative, those who adhere to its principles seem very ..… Tribal .in the definite rules, norms and conventions which seem to manifest into a narrow range of choice of attire and movements. I like the way tribal dancers move, it looks exotic and ethnic and is physically challenging. However when I get a chance to be creative I have a strong desire to transmit the creative and cultural influences that I have personally been exposed to, as well as the elements that construct my individual physical, mental and spiritual form. To me tribal consciousness inhibits individual expression. How can one do moves that truly resonate with one’s individual physique and personality within a limited range of costume/vocabulary? I believe dance has always been a way to forge community bonds and connect with all the other elements of the cosmos. It’ s good that tribal dance philosophy recognizes this. However it’s strange that some people have tendencies to place things in a hierarchical order of coolness or acceptability. I have heard people look down on cabaret dance, but do these people have what it takes to be that type of dancer? I am very eclectic in all my artistic and intellectual interests, dance in particular. I love to see expression of uniqueness and authenticity. Great technique in any genre creates a framework for the individual to express their personality and individual style. Technique is the pronunciation, tone and vocabulary, that is required to write great prose. Technique without passion and poetry is empty and boring.
All belly dance know-all’s, listen up! Belly dance has never been a form that has a strict and definitive range of movements, rather it is an archetypal range of erotic, YES EROTIC, movements of the hips and torso that describe the sacred geometry of life, the movement of stars, DNA and even the shapes created in the mysterious world of sub-atomic physics. As well, moves are symbolic of the sexual act and the drama of birth. The movements are seen in the behavior of animals and the natural world generally. How silly to think anyone could know the score on this!!! The universal movements are subjectively sublime.
I know what belly dance means to me, I realise it may mean something different to you. As I am not a mind fascist, I am not upset if your definition contradicts mine. Really good performers are shining stars that reveal their light through technique. How can anyone claim to know all there is and quantify and qualify something as nebulous as belly dance??? I have been belly dancing for 15 years and I am still learning . My special interest is the religious and spiritual origins of the dance which is fascinating.
Belly dance has always been incorruptible in its basic set of moves. These are its archetypal expressions that are shared universally. Cultures will put their own gestures, expressions and accents over the top, but the fundamental dance language is universal, natural and is the birthright of women from all cultures. Belly dance is the archetypal fertility dance, the dance of life and death and the process of procreation. ‘Belly dancer’- itself is a powerful archetype. The Collective Unconscious, is a concept that suggests that there are ideas that exist outside the individual 
mind. This explains the similarity of Arabic and Polynesian dance, even though they are not connected culturally or geographically. Furthermore, Neolithic cave art and findings seem to indicate a form of belly dance was practiced in ancient Europe.
mind. This explains the similarity of Arabic and Polynesian dance, even though they are not connected culturally or geographically. Furthermore, Neolithic cave art and findings seem to indicate a form of belly dance was practiced in ancient Europe.There is a lot of moralising about costumes etc. Morals are fine but please don’t force yours onto me! Sexual morality is imposed on people by the mainstream attitudes of monotheistic religions. Women moralizing about other women, is often an expression of jealousy. Since the 20’s we have seen risqué fashions in particular with dancers. One of these was the dynamic,- gorgeous black dancer Josephine Baker. Josephine danced topless. Our culture is desensitized to women showing flesh. Tabloids feature topless women and in clubs and pop videos skimpy and fetish wear is the norm. Strangely belly dancers who wear even slightly revealing costumes get called strippers etc. The legendary Dina of Egypt has not let that bother her and shows her voluptuous body off to the max even wearing short skirts.
Creative belly dance is what I do. When we are not brought up in the Middle East we do not have the cultural input to fully understand the none verbal meaning of gestures etc. Those of us who are western dancers will always have a western accent, which is fine. All of us are fantasy belly dancers to a certain extent. Those of us who are naturally creative and artistic will always feel compelled to express this.
Ruth st Denis, Isadora Duncan and similar dancers used eastern art and decoded and interpreted it through the lens of western women. What they did was ultimately a creative fantasy which is actually a very artistic and interesting thing to do. Ruth St Denis danced till she was old and enjoyed dancing the myths of Goddess including Ishtar and Isis using amazing props costumes and many chorus dancers.
Belly dance will reflect and absorb the cultures and individuals that practice it. It is the original primal sacred dance that represents the manifestation of the none manifest. I can see a future world where one can use a digital body to dance,-where it is possible to combine art, worship and altered consciousness contained within the one cyberspace experience.
All dancers! You can dance your own dance, you are free to totally express your self, the tribe may not like it if you go against its rules and codes but you will be free and that is really what dance is about. Belly dance is a divergent form, it is mutable, adaptable and bendy. it comes from beyond the rule book from a place of connectivity that transcends language. Many people need a holy scripture of’ how it’s done. Innovation makes us insecure about the nature of what is real. Hard in a society that requests conformity. 
The universe made me a belly dancer by sustaining me in many ways and guiding me to be strong through dance. I keep steady through movement. Dance has always been a form of poetical emancipation of the slave or underclass. Dance is another space where we can be free to enter another more pure reality. The internalized voice of those who seek to police our behaviour( they are there in all walks of life ), can stop us connecting. I would encourage any one to make up their own fusions. Dance is a metaphor for the universal processes. We are all on a journey which we choreograph ourselves.