Belly dance is the western term for raqs sharqi (literally eastern dance in Arabic), a solo improvisational dance with a unique vocabulary designed to interpret complex rhythms and melodies. The main influences on what we call belly dance come from the North African country of Egypt, as well as parts of the the Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine) and Turkey. Dance stylings from Iran/Persia, Southern Europe and Greece, and the Maghreb (Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria) also play a large role in influencing modern belly dance, especially as it is interpreted in Europe and the Americas.

There are lots of stylistic variations. Here is a quick breakdown of how you might see dancers and troupes categorizing themselves.

American "Cabaret" style

I am not a fan of this term, and consider it a bit of a misnomer; a better term might be Vintage Orientale, or just American Classic Belly Dance. That said, generally 'cabaret' refers to a style that was made popular in the 1960's and 70's in the United States by solo nightclub dancers. Cabaret style dancing will generally feature different parts to the dancers routine (generally five to seven segments), moving from fast to slow and back again. The most typical structure will feature a fast introduction, a slow veil routine, a fast 'show-off' piece, a slow specialty act (often balancing a sword or tray), a drum solo and a finale. If you were to go to a restaurant featuring belly dancing in many parts of th U.S. today, this is probably the structure the dancer will use to entertain the audience. After the main set, she will dance to fast music and go out in to the audience, getting folks up to dance and taking tips for her performance. If you hire a belly dancer to perform at a private party, wedding or other event, you will probably see a shortened version of the restaurant set. Often these gigs provide the bread and butter income for dancers. While occasionally controversial in the dance community (specifically the practice of tips being placed in the costume), restaurants and parties have long been the only way for dancers to have regular shows in a tough business. Club dancers will usually wear two piece beaded costumes (bedlah), long full skirts, and will generally choose bright and shiny fabrics. Usually the dancers play finger cymbals. By the way, the term 'cabaret' in reference to a style of Middle Eastern dance is, to the best of my knowledge, only used in the United States.

This style of dancing is fantastic, free, and fun, and is arguably one of the most authentic versions of ethnic solo Arabic style dance being portrayed in the States today. Many US based dancers who began in the 20th Century likely got their start in this style.

Egyptian style

Egyptian style dancing is what it sounds like, directly influenced by what Cairo's dancers have done in the last 50 to 75 years. Remember, though, that Egypt is a huge influence on all belly dance! There are just some dancers who refer to their style as Egyptian dance in particular, and who work hard to represent the dance as an ethnically-rooted style. Ironically, many dancers working in Cairo were influenced by western images of the east! There is a very fluid relationship between Egypt and the United States when it comes to what is derived in the originating country, and what is made up by American dancers and then taken by Egyptians! It can be very exciting, and very frustrating at the same time. Egyptian style dancing can be initially recognized by the costuming... often dancers will wear fitted floor length gowns with sequins and baubles on them. Current trends include fitted lycra costumes with minimal beading. Egyptian style dancers will tend to cover their bellys, as this is the law for dancers performing in public Egyptian shows currently (though this might be changing). Therefore the costumes exported out of Egypt are in this more covered style (often there are strategic cutouts as well as the sheerest fabrics, however!). Of course there are numerous examples of famous dancers in Cairo wearing very, very little! If a dancer is performing at a private function (as opposed to a government-licensed club) she is not subject to the same costuming restrictions. There are several high fashion costume houses in Cairo that cater to dancers all over the world, and costumes and fashions are constantly changing.

The music used by Egyptian dancers tends to be--or sounds like--one long, classic song. While there will be fast and slow parts, they will have a nice even flow to them (as compared to an American nightclub style dancer as described above, who might pull from many musical sources to create variety in her or his show). Egyptian dancers generally will enter the stage or dance floor with a veil trailing behind them, use it for a short time, and drop it, not to use it again. Egyptian style movements tend to be small and subtle (but very powerful!), with lots of shimmies. Choreographing movements that represent the spirit of the particular song they are dancing to is crucial. Dancers will often include a folkloric section in their set. Specialties featured by Egyptian style dancers include cane (asa), candelabra (shamadan), and finger cymbals (sagat).

Raqs sharqi can be difficult for many westerners to grasp at first. Spending time in Cairo gave me an appreciation for raqs sharqi I was not able to find in the US. A good Egyptian dancer expresses so much with her entire being--it is an incredibly moving dance form. Studying with some of the living masters (notably Fifi Abdo, Raqia Hassan, Soheir Zaki, Nagwa Fouad, Mona al Said, Aida Nour) and the newer stars (in particular Randa Kamal, Dandesh, and Dina) has been eye-opening, hip-moving and totally inspiring!

Tribal style.

A purely American creation, 80s and 90s tribal style belly dancing is most often seen performed by troupes. Tribal style dancers pull from all kinds of sources. Along with the ones mentioned above, these dancers look to India, parts of Asia, and Romany ('Gypsy') cultures, specifically in regard to costuming. There is also a more overt influence of indigenous and nomadic cultures from the Arab and North African world. Generally they will utilize the two piece club style costumes, but will wear skirts composed of more fabric than a cabaret dancer might choose. Generally they will wear turban style scarves in their hair, and usually they wear tons of stunning jewelry and paint on facial markings. The impact of a group of women dancing together dressed in this manner is often stunning, and tribal style belly dancing is extremely popular. Interestingly, just like soloists, American tribal style dancers often do not choreograph their dances, but improvise using transitional cues the dancers have worked out beforehand (with lots and lots of practice, I have no doubt!). This is belly dancing, so it is not without controversy, of course! Critics often state that dancers only schooled in the American tribal style are not receiving a complete education in true Middle Eastern dance movement and music; there is also concern that many tribal groups do not dance to the whole song (melody and meaning), but to the beat only. There can be name calling back and forth, unfortunately. Interestingly, the moves are all quite similar, it is the execution and the adornment that are distinct.

Modern tribal fusion dancers are blending and fusing hip-hop, bhangra/bollywood, Balkan tunes, and anything else they please in new ways, as well. While tribal fusion definitely has roots in belly dance, I believe it has developed into a dance form in it's own right, and perhaps should not be cateogrized under the sharqi/belly dance umbrella.

Folkloric styles.

This refers to dancers and companies who are presenting Middle Eastern dance in a more traditional form. In other words, dancers and choreographers who are doing research into historical costuming and movement, and really presenting movement from 'over there' as you might actually see it done, or have seen it done at one time. Many so-called cabaret dancers include folkloric elements into their shows, including raqs al assaya (cane), saiidi and ghawazee styles, debke, and khaleeji (Gulf) rhythms and steps.

The above is not meant to be complete...I have not (yet!!) mentioned Turkish style belly dance, for example, even though it was a large influence on my own early dance development. There are also amazing dancers transcending many of these boundaries as we speak, dancers who do not neatly fit into any of the above categories. From an audience members point of view, you need to decide what you like. And chances are, you may love some solo cabaret dancers and hate others, be moved by Tribal troupe A and underwhelmed by troupe B. Educate yourself!

I also ask you to keep in mind that you can find ten dancers who categorize themselves as Egyptian and see ten very different presentations. This is, to my mind, the beauty of the dance. Within a repertoire of movement, as a dancer becomes comfortable with the technique and expression, the rhythms and the music, his or her personality can be expressed. While I have provided general outlines of what one can expect, keep an open mind and enjoy as much dancing as you can!


Isn't belly dance a disrespected art form?

Raqs sharqi is based on social dances (raqs baladi) performed by men and women of all ages in the Middle East, but it is generally not highly respected as a profession. However, many dancers all over the world focus on the family friendly, entertaining, and artistic value of oriental dance. Oriental dancers are an essential staple at many weddings, celebrations and festivals both in and outside of the Middle East.

Belly dancing is based on a folk dance. And folks have been doing these movements for a long time, and still are today. Belly dancing is a dance form that women of all sizes and body types often feel comfortable doing. For some women it is a really empowering form of physical activity. The retirement age for professional Arabic style dancers (and indeed for many ethnic dancers) is much higher than it is for western style dancers. Sometimes certain movements are seen as sexy, and that is okay, but it is not the point of the dance form.

Due to the potentially negative connotations, many dancers refuse to use the term belly dance. They prefer to call it by it's proper name of Raqs Sharqi (Arabic for eastern dancing), Danse Oryental (Turkish for the same), Raks Arabi (Arabic Dance)or just Middle Eastern dance. I use the term Middle Eastern Belly Dance for the most part, and in the name of education and clarity will mix and match other terms when appropriate. On the other hand, lots of dancers want to 'reclaim' the term belly dance, and really like it to describe what they do.