Dancing with a Veil
Where did dancing with a veil come from? Traditionally, veils were used by the women in the orient for discretion in public. It symbolizes flowing femininity and creates a certain exotic mystery. True veil dancing in oriental dance occurred only within the last century and was strongly influenced by dancers of the West who were fascinated with the orient. Other effects of Western influence was when Egyptian dance was brought to films, and caused oriental dancers to wear high-heeled shoes and elaborately sparkling costumes. Today, the best veil dancing is not found solely in the Middle East, but rather by the dancers everywhere in the world. The popularity of talented veil dancing is very high.
What should a veil be made from?
Any light fabric easily catches the air. Silk is the best. Some specialist veils, for example, semi-circular veils can be made of heavier fabric. A basic rectangular veil should be double the length of your arm span. If not silk, then the minimum length is 2 feet or 60cm longer than your arm span. Hold your arms straight out to each side and measure from the fingertips on your left hand to the fingertips on the right hand, then add 2 feet. A silk veil should not contain any sequins or trim to it, because it will add too much weight and ruin the flow of the fabric.
Veils can be rectangular or semi-circular. You can dance with one, or more than one veil. It can be used to shroud you in mystery, or to be unwound as the music progresses. Modern dancers use them as stoles, or draped across the neck.
When should you dance with a veil?
To soft, flowing music, not a drum solo! – and in a classical oriental dance routine, not folkloric. Usually at the beginning of a performance, but can be in the middle of a long show or for the finale, depends on the show and the music.
Holding the veil
Good posture, head lifted, chest open and lifted, shoulders relaxed and down (no matter if the arms are held up, to the side or anywhere else). Arms should be held in a long curve. When held out to your sides, the palms of the hands should face down. Veil is best held between the thumb and fingers or between first and second fingers according to personal comfort, with the fingers held together and the hand extended with soft energy.
Moving the Veil
The veil should frame your body and add a soft flow. Never work with the veil too strongly or sharply. Never throw the veil away like some dirty laundry. Respect the veil’s own breath and life, and allow the veil to enhance the breath and life in your performance. Dancing with a veil should feel that you and the veil are one, rather than you manipulating a prop (a clearly separate thing from you, the dancer). Anything you dance with (cymbals, stick, whatever) should be connected to, and intergrated, with your movements.
Bellydance Coin Belts
Origins of the coin belt: It is thought that the coin belt originated from the time when gypsies and country women would dance in the market places and people would throw them money. As they were itinerant travellers, they would sew the money onto or into, their clothing.
A coin belt is a length of material, often chiffon, sometimes cotton, silk, lurex, brocade or velvet, with coins sewn in rows or triangular patterns on crochet work. These are handmade, no machine can reproduce these lovely creations. Some belts also have beads as well as coins.
Egyptian belts can be quite simple or very ornate. They can be rectangular, triangular, or look like overskirts covering a skirt or leggings. There’s every colour of the rainbow, and fashionable at present are tie-dyed, animal print and patterned chiffon. They usually have “squared off ends” with coins and beads sewn onto the ends too.
Turkish belts are usually less ornate, with less coins and the crochet work is finer. They come to a point at either end, rather than squared off. They are often velvet. It must be remembered that Turkish cabaret style is for beadwork rather than coins. So such belts are usually produced for the overseas and tourist markets.
There are also metallic coin belts which look a bit like chain mail!! These are popular worn with ordinary clothes, but still look attractive with dance costumes. They are in gold or silver coloured metal and sometimes have beads incorporated in them (especially “evil eye” beads)
What is the purpose of wearing a coin belt today?
Because many of the basic bellydance moves involve the hips, dancers often wear their skirts around the hips rather than the waist, and accentuate the hips with scarves. By wearing a coin belt, you have the addition of noise and movement, the sound of the little coins which jangle as you move and the movement of the coins when you have stopped moving yourself. Just walking across a room, you announce your presence! You feel more confident when dancing and more “in character” with the graceful goddess you wish to portray.
Selecting the right coin belt for you
When buying your very first coin belt, it is very daunting to be confronted with the rainbow array of colours, patterns, and styles. Consider carefully the following: What will it be worn with? Can it be worn with more than one outfit? Does it fit round your hips? Can you tie it comfortably? Is it too big, too small? Does it jangle properly? Is the sound pleasing to you? What colour coins do you prefer, gold or silver? What goes with your usual jewellery? You may wish to consult your tutor or a close friend for advice if you are unsure.
Tying your coin belt
Many Ladies came to me complaining that their Egyptian coin belts slide down and sometimes fall off. That is because they are tying them incorrectly. The correct way is to wrap the belt around the hips or waist bringing the ends to the front. Then, it may take a bit of practice to do this, without the aid of a close friend, gather the top edge of either side to make a "bunny ear". Tie the two "bunny ears" together in a knot. This will ensure a tight fit at the waist/hips but will be much looser around the more rounded part of our anatomy! The knot also looks better - like a little cascade.
Looking after your coin belt
Coin belts are all hand made, therefore you should not expect the highest level of perfection. You should check that each coin is securely sewn on, that there are no loose coins or loose threads. If there are, you would be strongly advised to undertake some additional sewing to ensure the coins are secure, as you can easily lose any loose coins when dancing.
Store and transport the coin belt carefully by rolling up into a sausage shape, with the coins on the inside and preferably then in a plastic bag. Alternatively, it can be stored by hanging on a trouser hanger, when it is not required. You should be careful about washing your coin belts - use only cold water and conditioner, or alternatively from time to time freshen up with Febreze. Do not sit on the coin belt, especially in a car. This is a sure way of losing coins. Above all, treat your coin belt with care and pride!!
Happy Shimmying !!!
