In ancient Mesopotamia, women evolved a dance form that was fluid, expressive, and intrinsically feminine. This approach to dance has its origins in ritual and religious expression. From Mesopotamia, dance spread - along with other forms of human civilization - around the Mediterranean. There are rock engravings of ritual fertility dances in the cave of Addaura near Palermo in Sicily, dating back to 15,000 years before Christ. Images of the dance have also appeared in Egyptian tomb paintings as early as 5,000 BC and also in ancient Greek sculptures.

The ritual dances that were performed in prehistoric times probably were the precursor of the Mid-Eastern dance, or "belly dance." It is believed that Mid-Eastern dance originated in Ancient Persia and then moved toward the Mediterranean, going first into Turkey to the north and then south into Egypt. It was introduced to Americans in 1893 by the dancer Little Egypt at the Chicago World's Fair.

During ancient times, women danced for each other at weddings and other social gatherings. Generally, women held their celebrations in a different part of the home than did men, so this form of dance was most often done by women for other women. Some aspects of the dance were practical and educational dance. It helped them to prepare for natural childbirth. Today we continue to celebrate our femininity and spirituality with traditional dancing handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.

Contributed by Gay C., reproduced with permission, and with additions contributed by Alay'nya

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