So where does pole dancing come from?

Pole dancing stems from various forms of ancient exotic dance. Its origins go back further than you might think but where exactly the style of pole dance that we are familiar with to day came from is the subject of much debate and confusion as many different styles of exotic dance have influenced pole dancing over the years.

Striptease:

The first striptease in history goes back to the days of Inanna the goddess of love in Sumerian times. This myth tells of her decent into Hades to find her lover Damouz. She removed a veil and a jewel ate each one of the seven gates of Hades. While she was in Hades and away form the earth it fell barren until her return when it was again fruitful.
This myth is believed by some to have evolved into the famous “Dance of the Seven Veils of Salome” from the bible. Some people believe this to be where striptease came from.

Belly Dancing:

Belly dancing is also thought to be one of the many inspirations behind pole dancing. It evolved from the ancient Middle East where it was thought to have powers of fertility. Belly dancing is believed to have been spread throughout Europe by the gypsies.

Rumba and Tango:

Both the sensual dances of the Rumba and tango are believed to have had some influence and like pole dancing they were rather controversial in their time.

Maypole dancing:

Pole dancing has also been linked back to the pagan ritual of maypole dancing. Maypole dancing was originally a pagan fertility dance with roots in the 12th century. It was later adapted by the Victorians who turned it into a more innocent form of dance removing its association with fertility.

Burlesque:

Striptease was said to have been added to burlesque shows in the 1900s as to lure back the make audience. Famous dancers and strippers to part in these strip burlesque shows including Gypsy Lee Rose. By the 1950’s burlesque had started to become more acceptable.

Travelling tent shows:

In the American depression of the 1920s fairs used to travel from town to town.
They had a great variety of sideshows. One of which was the Hoochi Coochi dancers who performed and erotic style dance act using the pole at the centre of the tent to dance around.  The tent pole then got its name dance pole.
These travelling acts with striptease shows began to use the pole in the centre of the tent to dance around.

Circus:

Some of the acrobatic and aerial performances in the circus have similarities and use similar moves and techniques to pole dancing.

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