Nottingham belly dance

Ghawazee 1848

Prisse d'Avennes

Victoria & Albert Museum

A potted history of Raqs Sharki – the ‘dance from the East’

There is much debate on the history of belly dance. The term itself is said to come from the French ‘danse du ventre’ - dance of the stomach, a phrase coined by a commentator at the Chicago Exposition in 1893, where a dancer called ‘Little Egypt’ introduced an unsuspecting American public to the delights of Raqs Sharqi. This is something of a misnomer, as any dancer will tell you that the moves involve hips, arms, chest and head as well as the belly. The other unfortunate consequence of that initial performance by Little Egypt was the idea that belly dancing was somehow sleazy, and not far removed from burlesque. Nothing could be further from the truth. . . .

There are many strands to the history of Raqs Sharki, and the different roots have given us different moves and traditions within the dance. It is thought that it was originally taught to young girls by their mothers to prepare them for the rigours of childbirth. The movements develop strength and suppleness in the stomach muscles. It was primarily a dance performed by women for women – a custom similar to Victorian ladies leaving the dinner table to amuse themselves in the Drawing Room whilst the men partook of port and cigars!

The Arabic style of the dance incorporates movements from Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, and Morocco, and involves intricate hip movements, for example as demonstrated in the Arabic Walk.

Baladi, or folk dance, was developed in rural Egypt. Dancers wear a full length robe and cover their hair, reflecting an Islamic tradition.

Oriental belly dance, sometimes known as ‘classical style’ is thought to have come from the royal courts of the Ottoman Empire. The movements are refined and have soft fluid arm movements. The music often includes a drum solo which is incorporated into the dance by using short staccato hip and chest movements.

Egyptian Cabaret is probably most associated with the belly dance that people would recognise today. The movements are controlled, small and internalised, characterised by the stomach flutter or shiver.

The most recent style of belly dance was developed in San Francisco, where a fusion of Middle Eastern dance and American tastes evolved into American Tribal Belly Dance. The style has strong moves reminiscent of the gypsy dances of North Africa, particularly the Ghawazee of Egypt. It is characterised by flamboyant costumes with dramatic, almost gothic make-up, and very sensuous moves.

The style you are most likely to see at a restaurant or Hafla in the UK might be loosely labelled ‘fusion’ or 'Egyptian pop’, in other words, a bit of everything! Today’s dancers feel free to use this wonderful art form to express themselves, using steps, moves and props to suit their individual style, whilst still remaining true to the traditions of Raqs Sharki, celebrating the sensuality of the female body.