pinoy1, well it seems to me initially bellydance was planned as house dance which was danced by women only at home for her family and husband especially. Later dance began to be considered as art among public, hmm kind of profession and earning money. By the way, i heard a legend which tells that bellydance`s appeared casually: when girl smelling nice of rose water and arabian parfume charming oils has been attacked by importunate bee. Poor girl tried to get rid of annoying bee, she began to rotate hips and make unusual movements by her stomach. She did it so plastically, gracefully and beautifully so public liked her dance