|
|
Integrating several aspects of a particular physical, social, and inner emotional/psychological environment, dance is uniquely qualified to express the totality of a cultures identity, however because the human body is the medium of expression, its wisdom, importance, and impact are overlooked, ignored, shunned, or diminished. the art itself neglected and omitted from serious consideration. |
|
Middle Eastern and North African dance in particular expresses a sensuality and grace, a confidence and pride in the feminine mystique as a strength and power that is unique to dance anywhere. Shaped by specific physical circumstances, which in turn have developed particular social relationships to maximize the life sustaining resources of a given area, each dance style has mirrored the physical condition and social evolution of the culture of its origins through the present day. At this time the influence of industrialization, "Westernization" and globalization have drastically altered the nature of the traditional dance forms in drastically altering the lifestyle, attitudes, beliefs and opportunities of the cultures of origin. |
As an unavoidable aspect of life, this change is neither positive nor negative and both positive and negative; positive change in that the more rigid, stylized aspects, of the dance and its respective cultures are opening up to greater interpretation and expression, greater freedom and opportunity to move literally in both the dance stage and the for the people who dance; negative change in that the subtle, more spiritual aspects are either disappearing, or are watered down, "commoditized" and sold to public unaware of what has been lost from the original. |
|
|
|
