ABSTRACT
This introduction lays the groundwork for the chapters in the first part of the book by demonstrating the unmediated nature of dance, both in that dance creates a physical connection among members of the two communities and in that it can act as a point of cultural influence between the communities. The introduction also elaborates on the development of Palestinian dances in the pre-state Israel era, separately examining men’s dances, especially the Dabke, and women’s dances, especially oriental/belly dancing in their cultural, historical and political context.
