Westernization

Once belly dance was brought to American, the westernization of the dance began almost immediately. From film to the vaudeville theater, to the stage - belly dance began to crop up everywhere in American culture. And like everything we encounter, Americans were intent finding a way to make the oriental dance their own.  Over the years Americans are credited with forming several styles of bellydance that are distinctly western. The biggest example of how belly dance became Westernized is the newly formed style of dance called Tribal Fusion. It combines the Tribal style of belly dance (which also began in America in 1967) with different types of music such as electronica and classical. The vaudeville theatre, famous in the late 1800's and early 1900's was also an American convention that brought the art of belly dance to the public. Vaudeville dancing could be characterized by its costuming, music, and sensual moves. Below is a clip from the movie "Whisper Hungarian in my Ear" which is a remake of the 1930's "White Zombie". The dancing featured in the clip is a great example of Vaudeville dance and it is a more westernized version of belly dance as you can see from the costuming (oriental dancers would have been more covered) and types of movement.