Minu’s Nostalgia

I often have flashback memories of myself as a child, locking my room and bellydancing in secret, as bellydancing is considered inappropriate in Arab countries for boys who are totally unaware of their queerness. Sometimes, I had even bellydanced under my blanket on my bed. It brought me joy and allowed me to experience a unique connection to my body and feeling my gut.

In this solo bellydancing piece, after a long period of disconnection from my cultural background, I had the chance to reconnect, explore, and enjoy in public what I used to hide and keep a secret. Wearing a flowing dress with hidden harnesses underneath, I felt a resistance to move to the rhythm, experiencing both the pleasure of dancing and the discomfort of my restrained past.