Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Mar 27/02) - What could be the world's oldest dance has arrived in the North.

Belly dancing did that a decade ago, but only recently began capturing a steady following. Hay River's belly dancers have been a little shy about what they do for fun, due to misperceptions of a "burlesque" image.

They freely admit what they do is sensual, even erotic. But their graceful free-flowing body movements are mostly only done in front of each other -- no men allowed. There are a couple other rules, like anyone who shows up at classes must try dancing.

It's a lot harder belly dancing in a small Northern town, where some men have made wisecracks, says Diana Ehman. She learned the art form years ago in Vancouver, "when I was a hippie."

"I dabbled in it as a form of exercise until 1984, then I got serious. I investigated it more and joined a troupe in Kamloops."

After moving to Hay River in 1990, lessons she offered didn't catch on. That was then. For the up to 10 women who now meet weekly for beginner and intermediate classes, the dancing is an opportunity for female bonding. Another beginner class is being organized.

Ehman and her students are quick to point out that, besides being great exercise, belly dancing empowers women.

"In this day and age women are so busy picking up kids, going here and there, that we forget our femininity," Ehman says.

She says a philosophy that goes with belly dancing makes it more like yoga and Tai Chi, compared with just another aerobics workout.

"It's all focused on the hips. It's a primitive but natural art form," Ehman says.

One of her students, Karen Hoose, says "I wanted to get in shape and I knew this would be low-impact. It opens me to ridicule. There's some room for good, honest teasing."

Hoose adds it's unfortunate that belly dancing has a cabaret reputation. "Showing off to men, that's not the history."

Ehman says of people who poke fun: "It's our North American way of thinking. A picture comes into our minds."

Her group is dispelling negative attitude by carefully venturing more into the community. Public performances are rare, but last year Ehman and her students danced at Hay River's annual firefighters' ball.