Belly dance (رقص شرقي) is a Western term for a traditional Arab dance genre known as raqs sharqi (رقص شرقي; literally "oriental dance") or sometimes raqs baladi (رقص بلدي; literally "dance of country", and so "folk" dance).
The idea of belly dancing for most people, presents a picture of an exotically costumed Middle Eastern woman, with midriff exposed, wiggling and gyrating through a very sexy dance.
This picture is ture, but there is more to belly dancing than just that. Belly dancing is not restricted to females, for one thing. It can be and is indulged in by men as well. Also it varies considerably from country to country.
Predating Islam, is the Turkish belly dance. In Turkey, the dancer's costume and the dancer's movements are not restricted. Turkish dance may have come from Gypsy culture, in addition to being influenced by the Greek dance called the Tsifteteli. The dancer may also uses finger cymbals, or zils. Shoes are frequently high heels, and the costume is quite 'revealing'. >> Read more
This picture is ture, but there is more to belly dancing than just that. Belly dancing is not restricted to females, for one thing. It can be and is indulged in by men as well. Also it varies considerably from country to country.
Predating Islam, is the Turkish belly dance. In Turkey, the dancer's costume and the dancer's movements are not restricted. Turkish dance may have come from Gypsy culture, in addition to being influenced by the Greek dance called the Tsifteteli. The dancer may also uses finger cymbals, or zils. Shoes are frequently high heels, and the costume is quite 'revealing'. >> Read more
