Yeah. I'm not up on all that, but was curious, and looked into it a bit just now. It seems the dance might predate Islam, but the popularization of it in modern culture was after the Islamification of Egypt and, interestingly, due to their laws, at times those dancers were all slaves, since men and women were segregated in society...but slaves were property/entertainment.
Also, from Wikipedia, I found this rather hilarious (and sad/disturbing):
In the Ottoman Empire, belly dance was performed by women and later, by boys, in the sultan's palace.
Yeah. I'm not up on all that, but was curious, and looked into it a bit just now. It seems the dance might predate Islam, but the popularization of it in modern culture was after the Islamification of Egypt and, interestingly, due to their laws, at times those dancers were all slaves, since men and women were segregated in society...but slaves were property/entertainment.
Also, from Wikipedia, I found this rather hilarious (and sad/disturbing):
Innnnteresting.
Belly dancing is still done in Syria and Lebanon. Granted its frowned upon for being suggestive.