Syrian Women Turn to Belly Dancing for Exercise

Audio slideshow produced during an IWPR workshop for young Syrian journalists held in Beirut, October 2009.

Belly dancing has long been an important cultural tradition in the Middle East but still is largely stigmatised as something seedy or to be seen mostly in films or on the stage.

Nonetheless, many Syrian women are turning to belly dancing for its physical and psychological benefits. Still, when dancing becomes a profession, conservative Syrian society expresses its disapproval.

Now, some people are trying to shake this negative image. Many housewives and working women are learning the dance as this IWPR video shows.

More information about the IWPR Syria multimedia project: http://iwpr.net/windowonsyria

This multimedia piece was produced during an IWPR workshop for young Syrian journalists held in Beirut, October 2009.

Trainer: Don Duncan
Editor: Raed Rafei
Project manager: Susanne Fischer

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• syria
• women