Latest news with #bellydancing
Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Egyptian belly dancer sentenced to hard labour for ‘violating morals'
An Italian-Egyptian belly dancer with more than two million Instagram followers has been arrested in Egypt on charges of offending public morality as local authorities clamp down on performers of the dance. Linda Martino faces a year of hard labour after she was arrested at Cairo airport and accused of 'using seduction techniques and provocative dancing to incite vice'. Her arrest follows the arrest of other famous belly dancers in Egypt in recent years as the hardline government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi takes a dim view of belly dancing, even though it remains popular in Egypt. The indictment accuses Martino of appearing 'in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of her body, in clear violation of public morals and social values.' Belly dancing can be found in nightclubs and at weddings in Egypt and is considered part of the country's heritage by noted performers such as Amie Sultan, who has campaigned to secure its recognition by Unesco. However, despite its cultural status, Egyptian women taking up belly dancing face stigma. Safy Akef, an instructor and the great-niece of the 1950s performer Naima Akef, said this month: 'No woman can be a belly dancer today and feel she's truly respected.' The result is foreign women — mainly from Russia and South America — are increasingly recruited. Recent arrests have targeted non-Egyptian dancers including Ekaterina Andreeva, a Russian dancer based in Cairo with a million followers on Instagram who was handed a year in jail with hard labour. Martino was born in Egypt but became an Italian citizen after marrying an Italian businessman, the Italian daily La Repubblica reported. During an initial hearing, she defended her profession, claiming 'belly dancing is an art, it cannot be a crime. I am a dancer and the videos on which the accusations are based are normal — they show a dance performance that do not go against or violate public morality.' She added: 'I don't know why Egypt is doing this, but I am also an Italian citizen and at this point I am asking for the Italian consulate to get involved.' • MPs attack Egypt over illegal detention of activist Italian media reported the Italian consul in Egypt has asked to visit the dancer. The arrest prompted complaints from opposition politicians in Italy who recalled the arrest in Cairo in 2016 of the Italian Giulio Regeni, a Cambridge doctoral student studying in Egypt. His battered corpse was found days later by a roadside. Egyptian security officials are on trial in absentia in Italy accused of torturing him to death. 'Linda's arrest is the latest action against the rights of women and human rights by Sisi's government,' said Elisabetta Piccolotti, an Italian MP with the AVS party. 'Giulio Regeni already died in those jails and we cannot downplay the potential consequences of the jailing of this Italian woman who has been accused of violating public morality by a fundamentalist government,' she added.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Belly dancer influencer arrested for ‘using seduction techniques' and ‘exposing sensitive areas' in viral online vids
A BELLY dancer influencer has been arrested for "using seduction techniques" and "exposing sensitive areas" in her viral online videos. Online sensation Linda Martino, originally from Italy, was arrested for "immortality" in strict Egypt two weeks ago - and is to remain in prison for another fortnight. 5 5 Linda - who has over two million followers on Instagram - moved to the North African country a few years ago and has built a successful career in belly dancing. Videos of her performing in popular clubs to various Egyptian hit songs have garnered millions of views across various social media platforms. But an investigation was reportedly triggered by one of her most shared videos, where Linda performs in a cabaret in a traditional belly dancing costume. The Cairo prosecutor's office accuses the young woman of having "used seduction techniques and provocative dances to incite vice". According to authorities' report, in some videos Linda "deliberately wore provocative clothing and performed dance movements with sexual allusions" They say she therefore disrespected "public decency" and the "values of family and society". Investigators also argued the artist "appeared in indecent clothing, deliberately exposing sensitive areas of her body, in clear violation of social values". She denies all the charges against her and claims she practices her profession in compliance with the law. The dancer said after being arrested: "I have the permits to practice my activity and all the videos circulating on social media are normal. "It is a permitted dance performance and does not contain anything that violates or goes against public morals." She added that the content she records is "only for entertainment purposes". Whilst belly dancing isn't prohibited in Egypt, videos on social media have to comply with the country's values. Egypt has increased its cruel crackdowns on artists and influences accused of offending public morals. Under Abdel Fattah Al Sisi's government, at least five belly dancers have been horrifically jailed on charges similar to those given to Linda. The Pharaoh nation sucks in a staggering 18 million tourists each year, and the industry props up around 10 per cent of the whole economy. But beyond the plush resorts of the popular Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada - Egypt is covering up its dark underbelly. The country's brutal police force deals in bribes and locks people up on bogus charges, including Brit holidaymakers. Egypt's picture-postcard image is being tested, with a former British ambassador to the country recently branding it a "police state". 5
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How belly dancers are reclaiming their artistic heritage after decades of stigma
Originating in the Middle East, belly dancing has evolved to incorporate a variety of styles in the regions it has spread to over the centuries. Now, as it continues to gain popularity internationally, young Egyptian performers are working to restore its reputation at home, pushing back against decades of stigma to reclaim the dance as part of their artistic heritage. Once well-known figures of Egypt's cinematic golden age, belly dancers have watched their prestige wane, their art increasingly confined to nightclubs and wedding halls 'No woman can be a belly dancer today and feel she's truly respected,' says Safy Akef, an instructor and great-niece of dance legend Naima Akef, a fixture on the silver screen during the 1950s. Despite her celebrated lineage, Safy Akef, 33, has never performed on stage in Egypt. 'Once the show ends, the audience doesn't respect you, they objectify you,' she says.
Khaleej Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'In our blood': Egyptian women reclaim belly dance from stigma
As belly dancing gains popularity internationally, young Egyptian performers are working to restore its reputation at home, pushing back against decades of stigma to reclaim the dance as part of their artistic heritage. Once iconic figures of Egypt's cinematic golden age, belly dancers have watched their prestige wane, their art increasingly confined to nightclubs and wedding halls. "No woman can be a belly dancer today and feel she's truly respected," said Safy Akef, an instructor and great-niece of dance legend Naima Akef, a fixture on the silver screen during the 1950s. Despite her celebrated lineage, Safy, 33, has never performed on stage in Egypt. "Once the show ends, the audience doesn't respect you, they objectify you," she told AFP. Today, belly dance is known for skin-baring theatrics performed by foreign dancers and a handful of Egyptians. The shift has fuelled moral disapproval in the conservative society and pushed even the descendants of iconic starlets away. "People ask me all the time where they can see belly dancing that does justice to the art," said Safaa Saeed, 32, an instructor at a Cairo dance school. "I struggle to answer," she told AFP. Saeed, who was enchanted by Akef as a child, is now part of a movement led by choreographer Amie Sultan to reframe the art as part of Egyptian heritage, fit for theatres, festivals and UNESCO recognition. - Colonial baggage - A classically trained ballerina turned belly dancer, Sultan prefers to call what is formally known as oriental dance baladi, from the Arabic word "balad", meaning homeland. "Baladi reflects the soul of who we are." "But now it carries images of superficial entertainment, disconnected from its roots," she told AFP. This disconnection, Sultan said, stems from shifting moral codes -- and colonial baggage. In her book "Imperialism and the Heshk Beshk", author Shatha Yehia traces the artform's roots to ancient Egypt, but says the modern colloquial term only emerged in the 19th century, coined by French colonisers as danse du ventre, or "dance of the belly". While descriptive, the phrase exoticised the movement and shaped perceptions both at home and abroad. "Heshk beshk", an old onomatopoeic Egyptian expression evoking a performer's shaking moves, "is not merely a label for the dancer", Yehia writes. "It is the Egyptian vernacular version of a femme fatale, the destructive woman who wields her body and feminine power to get what she wants. It's not just a label of vulgarity or immorality, it's synonymous with evil and debauchery." Yehia argues that views on "heshk beshk" -- now shorthand for provocative, lowbrow dancing -- were shaped both by Western imperialism and local conservatism. The fallout has been generational. Akef's great-aunt was a star who "acted, danced and created iconic film tableaux". But Safy instead has chosen to train others, including in Japan, where she spent three years teaching Egyptian folk and belly dance. - 'Place of our own' - Sultan launched the Taqseem Institute, named after the improvisational solos of Arabic music, in 2022. Since then, dozens of women have been trained at the school, seven of whom now teach full-time. The students are trained not only in choreography, but also in musicality, history and theory. They study the evolution of Egyptian dance from pre-cinema figures like Bamba Kashshar and Badia Masabni through the golden age icons like Tahiya Carioca and Samia Gamal. Sultan even takes the message to universities, giving talks to demystify the art form for new audiences, while her dancers work to preserve its history. In 2023, she staged El-Naddaha, a performance blending Sufi themes with traditional and contemporary Egyptian movement. Still, challenges remain. "We want to have a place of our own -- like the old theatres -- a teatro where we can regularly perform," Saeed said. Sultan is also pushing for official recognition. She has begun the process of campaigning for the dance to be inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. But the path is long and requires support from the country's culture authorities. For the time being, the dancers at Taqseem focus on their next performance. Barefoot and clad in fitted dancewear, they hold one final run-through, undulating to a melody by Egyptian diva Umm Kulthum as the beat of a tabla drum echoes. It's a dream come true for Saeed, who has been dancing since she was a child. "I believe it's in our blood," she said with a smile.
Al Arabiya
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
‘In our blood': Egyptian women reclaim belly dance from stigma
As belly dancing gains popularity internationally, young Egyptian performers are working to restore its reputation at home, pushing back against decades of stigma to reclaim the dance as part of their artistic heritage. Once iconic figures of Egypt's cinematic golden age, belly dancers have watched their prestige wane, their art increasingly confined to nightclubs and wedding halls. 'No woman can be a belly dancer today and feel she's truly respected,' said Safy Akef, an instructor and great-niece of dance legend Naima Akef, a fixture on the silver screen during the 1950s. Despite her celebrated lineage, Safy, 33, has never performed on stage in Egypt. 'Once the show ends, the audience doesn't respect you, they objectify you,' she told AFP. Today, belly dance is known for skin-baring theatrics performed by foreign dancers and a handful of Egyptians. The shift has fueled moral disapproval in the conservative society and pushed even the descendants of iconic starlets away. 'People ask me all the time where they can see belly dancing that does justice to the art,' said Safaa Saeed, 32, an instructor at a Cairo dance school. 'I struggle to answer,' she told AFP. Saeed, who was enchanted by Akef as a child, is now part of a movement led by choreographer Amie Sultan to reframe the art as part of Egyptian heritage, fit for theatres, festivals and UNESCO recognition. Colonial baggage A classically trained ballerina turned belly dancer, Sultan prefers to call what is formally known as oriental dance baladi, from the Arabic word 'balad', meaning homeland. 'Baladi reflects the soul of who we are.' 'But now it carries images of superficial entertainment, disconnected from its roots,' she told AFP. This disconnection, Sultan said, stems from shifting moral codes -- and colonial baggage. In her book 'Imperialism and the Heshk Beshk', author Shatha Yehia traces the artform's roots to ancient Egypt, but says the modern colloquial term only emerged in the 19th century, coined by French colonizers as danse du ventre, or 'dance of the belly.' While descriptive, the phrase exoticized the movement and shaped perceptions both at home and abroad. 'Heshk beshk', an old onomatopoeic Egyptian expression evoking a performer's shaking moves, 'is not merely a label for the dancer', Yehia writes. 'It is the Egyptian vernacular version of a femme fatale, the destructive woman who wields her body and feminine power to get what she wants. It's not just a label of vulgarity or immorality, it's synonymous with evil and debauchery.' Yehia argues that views on 'heshk beshk' -- now shorthand for provocative, lowbrow dancing -- were shaped both by Western imperialism and local conservatism. The fallout has been generational. Akef's great-aunt was a star who 'acted, danced and created iconic film tableaux.' But Safy instead has chosen to train others, including in Japan, where she spent three years teaching Egyptian folk and belly dance. 'Place of our own' Sultan launched the Taqseem Institute, named after the improvisational solos of Arabic music, in 2022. Since then, dozens of women have been trained at the school, seven of whom now teach full-time. The students are trained not only in choreography, but also in musicality, history and theory. They study the evolution of Egyptian dance from pre-cinema figures like Bamba Kashshar and Badia Masabni through the golden age icons like Tahiya Carioca and Samia Gamal. Sultan even takes the message to universities, giving talks to demystify the art form for new audiences, while her dancers work to preserve its history. In 2023, she staged El-Naddaha, a performance blending Sufi themes with traditional and contemporary Egyptian movement. Still, challenges remain. 'We want to have a place of our own -- like the old theatres -- a teatro where we can regularly perform,' Saeed said. Sultan is also pushing for official recognition. She has begun the process of campaigning for the dance to be inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. But the path is long and requires support from the country's culture authorities. For the time being, the dancers at Taqseem focus on their next performance. Barefoot and clad in fitted dancewear, they hold one final run-through, undulating to a melody by Egyptian diva Umm Kulthum as the beat of a tabla drum echoes. It's a dream come true for Saeed, who has been dancing since she was a child. 'I believe it's in our blood,' she said with a smile.
