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Slave Dance
"Slave dance," on Gor incidentally, is a very rich and varied dance form. It covers a great deal more than simple "ethnic dance." For example, it includes dances such as hunt dances, capture dances, submission dances, chain dances, whip dances, and such. Perhaps what is done in slave dance on on Gor would count as "exotic dance" on Earth, but, if we are thinking of the actual kinds of dances performed, then there is much in slave dance, for example, story dances, which are seldom, if ever, included in "exotic dance" on Earth, and there are forms of dance in "exotic dance" which for one reason or another, are seldom, if ever, seen on Gor, for example, certain forms of carnival dancing, such as bubble dancing or fan dancing. Perhaps the reason such dances are seldom, if ever, seen on Gor, is that Goreans would be likely to regard them as being "real dance." They would be regarded, I think, as little more than culturally idiosyncratic forms of commedic teasing. They are, at any rate, not the sort of dance, or the "danse-du-ventre" sort, so pleasing to strong men, which a slave on Gor, fearing the whip must often learn to perform." Dancer of Gor, Page 172 Dance has been around for centuries, from its earliest beginnings as simple celebrations of life or religious offerings to the fertility gods, to the now highly stylized perfomance art practiced in some societies today. Many cultures, ancient and current, placed great significance on dance and music. It was one of the ways for a woman to express her emotions and femininity openly, even in an otherwise-conservative society. It is not surprising that Norman also made this a part of Gorean culture. In cultures where the focus on dance was celebratory instead of religious, it began to represent a freedom of expression as well as a means to entice the opposite sex. It becomes naturally fitting that in Norman’s Gor, a slave girl would be the one trained to dance before men... she is the one said to know the truest freedom in her bonds. It is said that a slave moves differently under the eyes of men. What better way to demonstrate that than as a slave dancing for the pleasure of men? "The dancing of the female before the male, that she be found pleasing and he be pleased, is one of the most profound lessons in all of human biology." Dancer of Gor, Page 193 So what is the slave girl of Earth to do when she wants to learn to dance, in the hopes she may be found more pleasing to men? Since Earth appears to have a shortage of kajira dance academies... it takes a bit more effort and adaptation to find ways to learn. After reading or even studying the dances in the books, the next step comes into play: making them happen. Dance classes can come in many forms, whether its from a local teacher or a belly dancing video or simply from trial and error in front of one’s mirror. Movements can be emulated from the stripdancers at a local clubs or a one time performer one sees at a middle eastern restaurant. The lesson that carried the largest impact for kaylee was from a trip to a gentleman’s club- she could tell which of the dancers truly loved dancing for men and which were just doing their job. It showed in their dancing, and made the women who were enjoying themselves much more appealing to watch, even if they were not the finest dancers. Regular dance practice can also offer different benefits. It reduces stress, adds grace in everyday movements, improves muscle tone and flexibility, and can make a girl more familiar with her body. She can use movements she learns even in the most mundane of settings... a swing of the hip, a flexed calf to better define her legs, a body’s undulation as she kneels to display herself, a subtle gyration when no one is looking but her owner. Finding a dance style to learn requires more research. kaylee discovered there can be an enormous difference in styles of ethnic dance, from Gypsy to Egyptian to Asian. There are videos and books available for the slave who may not live near any teachers, or who may not have a flexible schedule to commit to on-going classes. Here’s a list of just a few resources kaylee’s found or seen recommended: Books: The Belly Dance Book : Rediscovering the Oldest Dance (Tazz Richards) Costuming from the Hip (Barry Brown, Dawn Devine Brown) Serpent of the Nile : Women and Dance in the Arab World (Wendy Buonaventura, Ibrahim Farrah) Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance (Eric N. Franklin ) Videos: Sensual Art of Bellydance: 3 Volume Set Bellydancing: The Sensuous Workout with Shamira Bellydance: Magical Motion Bellydance: Fitness for Beginners - 4 Volume Gift Boxed Set Bellydancing - A Complete Course of Movements Instructors and organizations: http://www.bellydancersonline.com/ "There is no standardization, or little standardization, for better or for worse, in Gorean slave dance. Not only can the dances differ from city to city, from town to town, and even from tavern to tavern, but they are likely to differ, too, from girl to girl. This is because each girl, in her own way, brings the nature of her own body, her own dispositions, her own sensuality and needs, her own personality, to the dance. For the woman, slave dance is a uniquely personal and creative art form. Too, of course, it provides her with a wondrous modality for deeply intimate self expression." Guardsman of Gor, page 260 A Gypsy singer and dancer offered this advice to girls looking to learn to dance. She replied, "Listen to the music, feel it... lots of music at first. When you can feel the music, your emotions will steer your movements." After all, the emotions and motivations are what separate slave dance from other ethnic dances. No one but a slave girl can show what it truly feels like to be vulnerable at the feet of men. No matter what form of dance the slave does: she is doing so to please men, and her surrender shines through in every movement. humbly submitted, kaylee{G}
Gabriel and kaylee write a monthly column about issues pertaining to the lifestyles of Goreans on Earth. Questions, comments, and suggestions or requests for topics can be addressed to Gabriel@gor-on-earth.com |
