The dancing plague, also referred to as a dancing mania, is reported to have happened throughout parts of Western Europe. It affected people from the 14th to the 17th century. The most notable incident of this plague occurred in the summer of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, where people would drop dead from exhaustion.

10The Case Of Frau Troffea

A week before the festival of Mary Magdalene in 1518, Frau Troffea stepped out of her home and started to dance. Her legs took her this way and that. She danced all day and into the evening until she collapsed.

Muscles twitching and full of sweat, she slept for a few hours before waking and starting her bizarre dance all over again. On the third day of her dance, her shoes were soaked with blood She was exhausted, but there was no rest for her weary body.

Onlookers watched until, days later, Frau Troffea was taken to a shrine to be healed of her affliction, but it was too late. Other people had been compelled to dance in the streets. Thirty dancers quickly climbed to over 400 people who danced until their feet were raw or they died.

9Cause Unknown

As more and more people went into the streets during the month of August, their legs jerking in a kind of macabre dance, the people of the city became frightened. The dancers appeared to be mad, and onlookers debated who was to blame: God or the devil. By the time there were hundreds of people dancing in the streets, bloody, sweaty, and beyond exhausted. It is estimated that as many as 15 people were dying from the dancing plague each day.

What was the underlying cause of the dancing plague? Could it have been mass hysteria or was it an actual plague caused by a virus? To this day, no one knows what caused the dancing plague in Strasbourg and in other parts of Western Europe, but there are plenty of opinions on what may have happened.

8Paracelsus’s Opinion

Paracelsus, physician and alchemist, visited Strasbourg in 1526, just a few years after the dancing plague incident. He became the first to write about Frau Troffea, and he was the first to use the term “choreomania” to describe the dancing sickness.

Paracelsus had his own opinion on the cause of the dancing plague. It turned out that Frau Troffea’s husband absolutely hated it when she would dance. Paracelsus and some of the people of Strasbourg believed that she started her dance simply to annoy her husband.

Paracelsus broke down the dancing sickness into three causes. First, it was born out of the imagination. Second, people may have joined in the dance out of sexual frustration. Finally, there may have been bodily causes for some of the people who exhibited uncontrolled dancing. Ultimately, Paracelsus felt that unhappy wives were the main cause of the dancing plague.

7Societal Stress

One of the more probable causes of the dancing plague was stress. The dancing plague arrived on the heels of the Black Death. It appeared as though those affected were having involuntary leg contractions, something still seen in a small portion of psychiatric patients today, although to a lesser extent.

The stress may have been caused by spiritual guilt with the sufferer believing that he or she was being punished by God for various sins. There was also a lot of tension between society’s classes during this time. Top that off with poverty and hunger, and you have groups of people who are bound to break under the strain.

6Tarantula Bites

France was not the only country affected by the dancing plague. Italy also had outbreaks of the dance mania, but there, they called it tarantism. The people believed that the spontaneous dancing was brought on by tarantula bites. Those who were bitten would twitch and dance. It was said that they seemed drawn to the sea and that many died by throwing themselves into the cold depths of the water.

Even though the tarantula bite is not poisonous to humans, the last known case of tarantism in Italy was investigated in 1959.

5The Binding Cure

Different methods were used to try to cure those affected with the dancing mania. One of the more common methods involved binding.

Victims of the sickness were bound in cloths, similar to the way we wrap babies in a swaddling clothes. This prevented the victims from dancing themselves bloody.

Some of the victims also claimed that tightness around the stomach helped relieve them from the madness. A few requested to be punched or stomped on the stomach for relief.

4Darkness And Fasting

Paracelsus recommended his own cure for the dancing disease. He labeled the sufferers as “whores and scoundrels” and felt that they should be treated as awfully as he named them.

First, he insisted that they should be locked up in a dark room. The more unpleasant the room, the better. Second, the victims should fast and only be allowed bread and water.

No word is given on whether the cruel treatment worked or not, but it could not have been any worse than the exorcisms performed by the church on victims of the dance mania.

3Children’s Dancing Plague

Records show that in 1237, a large number of children were affected with the dancing plague in Erfurt, Germany. About 100 children started to dance uncontrollably. They danced all the way to Arnstadt and then collapsed from exhaustion.

The children were gathered up and were returned to their parents. Some of the children died shortly thereafter, and it is said that the rest lived out their days with a tremor that would not go away.

No one knows what caused the outbreak.

2Saint John’s Dance

A dance mania overtook Germany in the 1300s, immediately after the Black Death. Men and women took to the streets and convulsively danced, to everyone’s horror. They would leap about, foaming at the mouth, and appeared to be possessed.

The mania spread from one person to another. Some of the victims were swaddled, and they recovered for a short time only to fall into the mania once again.

Victims claimed that during the dancing fits, they were clueless to their surroundings. They heard nothing, saw nothing, but were compelled to move about, screaming and dancing, until they would pass out from total exhaustion.

1Saint Vitus’s Dance

Saint Vitus’s Dance is often lumped in with the dance manias, but it was not a true dance. While Saint Vitus was the patron saint of dancers, those affected with Saint Vitus’s Dance had a disease that caused their bodies to twitch or jerk. Now known as Sydenham’s chorea those who had the disease were taken to the Chapel of St. Vitus in the hopes that they would be cured.

The Catholic church insisted that those infected with Saint Vitus’s Dance visit the chapel. Anyone who refused to undertake the journey was excommunicated.

Elizabeth spends most of her time surrounded by dusty, smelly, old books in a room she refers to as her personal nirvana. She’s been writing about strange stuff since 1997 and enjoys traveling to historical places.

Belly dance, with its mesmerizing hip movements, intricate shimmies, and vibrant costumes, has captivated audiences worldwide. Over the years, numerous talented artists have graced the stage, becoming iconic figures in the world of belly dance. Here’s a glimpse into the lives and contributions of the top 10 most famous belly dancers.

The Top 10 Most Famous Belly Dancers

1. Samia Gamal (Egypt):

Often referred to as the “Queen of Belly Dance,” Samia Gamal was an Egyptian dancer and actress who rose to fame in the mid-20th century. Known for her grace and elegance, she played a pivotal role in popularizing belly dance in Egyptian cinema.

See also: Top 10 Most Popular Dancers of All Time

2. Tahia Carioca (Egypt):

Another Egyptian luminary, Tahia Carioca, was a legendary belly dancer and actress. Renowned for her energetic and joyful performances, she left an indelible mark on the world of dance and entertainment.

3. Shakira (Colombia):

While not exclusively a belly dancer, Shakira, the Colombian pop sensation, has incorporated belly dance elements into her performances. Her unique fusion of Latin and Middle Eastern dance styles has made her a global icon. No doubt, Shakira is one of the most famous belly dancers in the world.

4. Fifi Abdou (Egypt):

Fifi Abdou is a celebrated Egyptian belly dancer and actress known for her dynamic and expressive performances. With a career spanning several decades, she remains an influential figure in the world of Middle Eastern dance.

See also: Most beautiful Egyptian women.

5. Dina (Egypt):

Dina, an Egyptian belly dancer, is renowned for her technical skill and emotional storytelling through dance. Her performances have earned her international acclaim, and she has been a mentor to many aspiring dancers.

6. Suhaila Salimpour (United States):

As a prominent figure in American belly dance, Suhaila Salimpour has not only mastered traditional Middle Eastern styles but also contributed to the evolution of belly dance in the West. Her innovative techniques and teaching have left a lasting impact.

7. Nagwa Fouad (Egypt):

Nagwa Fouad, an Egyptian dancer and actress, enchanted audiences with her captivating stage presence and versatile dance style. Her performances were characterized by a seamless blend of classical and folkloric elements.

8. Amani (Lebanon):

Amani, hailing from Lebanon, is celebrated for her emotive and expressive style. With a career spanning decades, she has become an inspiration for many aspiring belly dancers worldwide.

See also: Most beautiful women of Lebanon.

9. Aziza (United States):

Aziza, based in the United States, is renowned for her technical precision and innovative choreography. As a respected teacher and performer, she has contributed significantly to the global belly dance community.

10. Dandesh (Turkey):

Representing Turkey, Dandesh has gained recognition for her dynamic performances and mastery of Turkish belly dance styles. Her charisma and skill have solidified her place among the most influential belly dancers.

See also: Most beautiful Turkish women.

Enjoyed! the list of most famous belly dancers. These extraordinary women have not only mastered the art of belly dance but have also become cultural ambassadors, sharing the beauty and diversity of this art form with audiences around the world.

What body type is a belly dancer?

Belly dancers come in various body types. There is no specific body requirement for belly dancing. Different body shapes and sizes can excel in belly dancing, as the emphasis is often on fluid movements, isolations, and expression rather than a particular body type.

See also: 10 Most Famous Dance Styles in the World

FAQs: Belly Dance

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