The Mother of American Belly Dance: Jamila Salimpour

If you have ever taken a Belly Dance class in America, you can thank Jamila Salimpour for her influence. Not only did she codify and group many of the names into families, she is also the originator of American Tribal Belly Dance. Her format has been taught the world over and her impact has been felt for over 60 years.

Jamila, the vibrant daughter of Sicilian and Greek immigrants, blossomed in Harlem, New York, and didn't speak English until she was 5 years old. In the thrilling early 1940s, she made her way to Los Angeles. There, captivated by her father's tales of Egyptian Ghawazee dancers and the mesmerizing Egyptian films at the local theater, she began dazzling audiences at community events and Middle Eastern nightclubs.

By 1949, Jamila was passionately teaching Belly Dance and founded the iconic Salimpour School of Dance in San Francisco, CA. Her innovative teaching style swept across the US and the globe! Breaking away from the traditional "follow the leader" method, Jamila crafted her own groundbreaking system. She meticulously catalogued and named hundreds of steps, each with a story—like the Algerian Shimmy, inspired by an Algerian dancer, or Zanouba, a regular performer at the Fez in Los Angeles.

In 1968, Jamila unleashed her creativity by founding the spectacular Bal-Anat dance troupe for The Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Rising to the challenge, she crafted a vibrant variety show reminiscent of an Arabian festival or souk. With her rich experience from the Ringling Brothers Circus and collaborations with global dancers, she introduced the world to dancing with swords, masks, and snakes! Dancers adorned in opulent costumes, designed by Jamila's blend of anthropological research and fantasy, represented diverse Belly Dance styles. The ensemble brought tribal dance styles from North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean to life, sparking an entire generation of American Belly Dance, including American Tribal Style and its sub-genres. Bal-Anat, the oldest and longest-running Belly Dance company, continues to enchant audiences worldwide.

Beyond her dance legacy, Jamila was a dynamic nightclub owner and author. She owned the legendary Bagdad Cabaret in San Francisco, a hub for Middle Eastern music and dance.

Among her influential publications was the pivotal La Danse Orientale and a comprehensive guide to finger cymbal patterns, many of her own creation. She also co-founded and contributed to Habibi Magazine, one of the first periodicals dedicated to Belly Dance. Her writings, compiled by the Salimpour School, were re-released in the Jamila’s Article Book.Jamila envisioned Belly Dance as “a difficult, yet truly artistic dance form.”

I see her as a trailblazer for all of us who study the dance today. Her legacy shines brightly, influencing every class, including mine. Though I never learned directly from her, I've been fortunate to study with her students and her remarkable daughter, Suhaila Salimpour, who has also left a mark on modern Belly Dancers worldwide. In my classes, I proudly use her terminology and move names.

SOURCE: Salimpour School Online