Bikini belly dancer
shocks -- shocks! -- Egyptian sensibilities
CAIRO, Egypt (May 2, 1997 3:38 p.m.
EDT) -- Twenty-two agents of the government's Artistic Inspection Department prowl
nightclubs and discos to ensure that the ancient art of belly dancing isn't tainted by
racy gyrations. So conservative Egypt was shocked when a leading performer, Dina, traded
the traditional glittering gauzy garb for biking shorts and bikinis.
The Al-Maydan weekly dedicated
almost a page to Dina's garb, noting that the dancer -- who like many in her trade uses
only one name -- even appeared with gold chains wrapped around her waist.
These costumes may seem fairly tame
in a world of go-go girls and online sex. But for all kinds of reasons they were
guaranteed to cause a stir in Egypt.
For one, the belly dancer's costume
is not only traditional but partly prescribed. Some insist the belly must be obscured by a
lacy net. A 1920 law forbids showing the navel -- a possible genesis for the navel jewel.
Egypt also is a conservative Muslim
country where religious women cover themselves in robes and veils -- showing at most their
face and hands. Women tourists who show too much flesh are frowned on.
Disapproval does not dampen
curiosity, however. Egyptians look for every tidbit in gossip columns about Cairo's
celebrity belly dancers -- their travels, tiffs, amours and astronomical wealth.
So reports that Dina was hauled in
for questioning over her costumes had a ready audience.
Ahmed Abou el-Fattouh, the chief
inspector, would not confirm the reports of Dina's detention, but conceded he admonished
one performer -- whom he wouldn't name -- for both her dress and demeanor.
"The dancer was wearing a
bikini. She bowed, showing her back to the audience, and moved it in such a disgusting
way," he said.
Dina said she was far too busy
redecorating her apartment to take the time for an interview.
Two other top dancers, Fifi Abdou
and Lucy, have reacted to the scandal by declaring that the original costume is the best
way to show off the intricate belly and hip movements of their art.
Lucy, in an interview with The
Associated Press, denigrated more revealing dress as an amateur's trick meant to shift
attention to her body -- and away from bad dancing.
"As long as I can do the
moves, why should I show three-quarters of my breasts?" she said.
Almost all of Lucy's 600 costumes
are traditional models, given variations for color, number of sequins and a slit here or
cut there.
Six hundred costumes? That's
nothing. Newspapers have reported that Fifi Abdou -- Egypt's most famous belly dancer --
owns about 5,000.
It's all part of the media
attention to the dancers' earnings and spending habits.
Last year, papers buzzed with
reports that Abdou bought an apartment overlooking the Nile River for $14.5 million. She
denied it.
The Arabic daily Al-Hayat reported
recently that Egypt's 12,000 registered belly dancers paid $250 million in income taxes
last year, making some among the richest people in a country where teachers make $90 a
month.
Newspapers say Lucy earns up to
$4,400 for a 45-minute performance at a party or wedding. She says her costumes cost
$900-$1,500 apiece.
Speaking of costumes, Farouq Salem,
head of the Artistic Inspection Department, stresses that a dancer's dress is not the only
criterion his inspectors use in determining whether she is sullying the dignity of belly
dancing.
"We also watch the whole
performance: her movements, the music, the lyrics, the whole package," he said.
"A belly dancer could dress like a veiled woman, but perform movements that make her
really sexy."
By MARIAM SAMI, The Associated
Press
