IT’S become a craze in Nelson Mandela Bay and the rest of the country and enthusiasts are keen to spread the word of what it really is – and all the associated benefits – rather than what it is perceived to be.

It’s belly dancing and more and more women are turning to it as a means to reconnect with themselves and at the same time getting good exercise.

South African women are now discovering that belly dancing teaches a number of disciplines, mixes cultures and is very therapeutic, says international belly dancer and teacher, Janka Kliment.

Annual events such as the International Oriental Dance Festival held in Cape Town in October, the Miss Belly Dance held in Johannesburg in September and International Belly Dance Day in May are all testimonials to the fact that the craze has hit South Africa and the number of belly dance fans is growing daily.

Kliment, who comes from Slovakia and now lives in the Bay, has been running her Oriental Dance Studio since 2006. She started with fewer than 10 students but now has up to 40.

Kliment has been dancing and performing for 19 years – her repertoire includes 11 years of ballroom and Latin dancing at an international level, and nine years of belly dancing.

“Women are finding their bodies in better shape with their exercise needs being met at belly dancing classes. It has also become a way of life or even just a lifelong hobby.”

The group of women from the studio perform at charity events, corporate functions, birthdays, bridal showers and weddings as well as entertaining guests at restaurants.

Debbie Louw, of Rowallan Park, who has been a belly dancer for three years, says many people associate the dance with sexual or exotic style dancing and want to make money out of it.

“(But) this is a dance that helps women become comfortable with their bodies and it could be highly recommended for young girls to gain self-confidence.”

In the past, belly dancing was also used to help women with childbearing.

“Today it is very helpful as it strengthens the core and back muscle,” said dancer Roxane Taylor, of Sherwood.

Belly dancing today consists of the new, modern styles of belly dance which are tribal and fusion, as well as Gypsy, Persian, Bollywood, Spanish, Latin and contemporary.

Theresa Warner, of Westering, said people had commercialised belly dance and it was time to show them what it was supposed to be and not what it was perceived to be.

“I don’t feel comfortable going to the gym. It’s fun being with women where you can share your thoughts while exercising in a relaxed environment.”

Kliment plans to deliver a lecture on the new belly dance style which is the combination of different styles around the world.

The fascinating factor about the dance is that each dancer portrays the music in her own way and makes the music visible, said Kliment.

The group are performing at the fourth International Oriental Dance Festival in Cape Town this weekend where Kliment was invited to dance at the gala evening which kicked off the event. It was the first time an Eastern Cape belly dancer was invited to perform at the gala evening.

What on earth is Hafla?... and other belly dancing lingo

ALTHOUGH the music has a definite rhythmic pattern, it is uncomplicated. The entire belly dance is improvised and is a visual depiction of the way the music moves the dancer. As the musicians improvise much of the music, the dancer adapts to their lead.

Characteristic movements include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, locks, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps. Arms and hands move fluidly. Unusual strength and control is demonstrated in the belly area.

Versions of belly dancing can be seen in many music videos, although purists of the dance claim these overtly sexual movements are not proper dance. The Columbian singer Shakira has caused some resurgence in the art of belly dancing due to her music videos, where her dancing combines belly dancing with other popular Latin styles.

Another place where belly dancing has become popular is at the gym. Since the dance is so physically demanding, many gyms are offering belly dancing instead of the traditional aerobics classes. Due to this resurgence, belly dancing is beginning to disassociate the negative connotations it had over the last few decades, and is showing itself as a legitimate art form for the mainstream culture.

Even if you are new to belly dance, it is always nice to have a good understanding of some of the common lingo in the belly dance community. The following is a short compilation of common belly dance vocabulary.

  • Al Jeel (ahl JEEL) – popular present day Egyptian music.

  • Assuit (uh SOOT) – Mesh fabric with metal threads through it.

  • Awwady (uh WAHD dee) – free-form improvised instrumental solo with no underlying rhythm,

  • Bedleh (BED luh) – Cabaret beaded belly dance costume.

  • Beledi (BELL uh dee) – popular belly dance rhythm.

  • Choli (CHOH lee) – fitted midriff top worn under saris by women in India.

  • Debke (deb kee) – folkoric dance.

  • Dumbek. (Doom- beck") – A dumbek is an Arabic drum. May also be spelled Darbuka.

  • Ghawazee (guh Wah zee) – tribe of gypsies that settled in Egypt.

  • Habibi (hah BEE bee) – means my love or my darling. Used a lot in bellydance love song.

  • Hafla (Haf lah) – a hafla is basically a party, social dance gathering. It’s often hosted by instructors as a way for their students to perform for friends and family.

  • Rakkas – an Arabic word meaning "the male dancer".