unamiable ignorance that infiltrates the belly
dance world today. This ignorance may also
be the root cause for the ‘bitchy’ remarks about
other dancers and also the slanderous as-
sumptions about the acumen of teachers. But
can we really blame fear of competition for all
of these horrible attributes that are alive and
kicking in the belly dance world?
Competition is the natural means of the society
in which we live in. It is a characteristic built
inside of every human as a tool for survival.
Some would argue that it is necessary in order
for civilizations to survive and prosper.
Competition encourages teachers to develop
their skills, enabling them to teach a better
curriculum to their students. When positively
encouraged in the classroom, it motivates stu-
dents to take an active interest in their stud-
ies and to develop into professional dancers.
Competition amongst costume makers en-
ables vibrant and beautiful fashions to emerge.
Competition amongst magazines enables the
pursuit for the truth to become apparent and
for reliable knowledge to be shared with read-
ers. Competition amongst event organisers
ensures that there are fair and equitable prac-
tices in place for performers. Finally, competi-
tion amongst performers enables magnificent
pieces of art to be created and for new trends
to start.
As a writer and passionate advocate of belly
dance I have come up against many barriers
when it comes to encouraging teachers and
performers to talk about their work and what
they stand for. I guess the fear is that if they
talk about what they do and it gets published
Brice, Tribal Fusion would be looked down upon
in the magazine then the competition will copy
by the more traditional belly dancers. Dancers
their hard work and take business away from
like Rachel are pioneers because they stuck to
them. How can belly dance prosper as an
what they believed in and worked hard to earn
art when teachers and performers have this
the respect of their peers and students. Inno-
mindset? The trouble is that this sort of think-
vation is almost always created as a result of
ing gets passed on to students and it causes
competition.
unnecessary hostilities and snobbery amongst
dancers. It discourages students from improv-
But, competition isn’t always so constructive.
ing their dance style and becoming better danc-
Right?
ers. If you stay comfortable on the things that
are successful today (and yesterday) and you
Perhaps it is this lack of understanding of what
build barriers to prevent others from stealing
competition really is that forms the basis for the
your ideas then you risk not developing with
the times.
9
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