Oriental dance history and styles

Oriental dance awakens the senses, makes hearts beat faster, and tells ancient stories filled with grace and mystery. Since ancient times, it has been a symbol of femininity and self-expression. Nevertheless, what is the origin and history behind this captivating feminine dance?

Let us delve into the history of belly dance and discover its cultural roots, contemporary practices, and often overlooked realities.

Belly dance, or oriental dance, is an art steeped in history, originating in Egypt and mainly present in the Middle East. It is a dance, which has conquered the world. It’s practiced essentially by women, Although it elicits mixed reactions in Egypt today, it is in the West that it has found refuge, charming millions of enthusiasts.

This ancient practice has its roots in Egypt and Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and even Greece. Some claim it dates back to ancestral fertility rituals, blending religion and esotericism. Reliable accounts of its past remain rare, leaving a multitude of legends and myths surrounding its evolution.

In 1926 Badia Masabni, a Syrian actress and dancer, opened the greatest cabaret in Cairo, Hiring the greatest musicians, composers, belly dancers and choreographers. Offering regular performances and established the first sanctuaries for this form of expression. Although Egyptian dance now dominates classes and performances, this would not have been possible without the fame achieved by Egyptian dancers when Cairo became the capital of this form of performance in the 1930s. Oriental dancers of this era, like Samia Gamal, were trained by classical ballet instructors, masterfully merging oriental grace, embodied by the movements of the pelvis and trunk, with stage movements such as displacements, arabesques, and turns.

Oriental dance is an ancient art that captivates with its captivating sensuality and divine grace. It is essential to distinguish between belly dance, Arabic dance, and Egyptian dance, as each embodies its own distinct identity and characteristics.

Belly dance encompasses a variety of styles from various countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It evokes undulating movements of the hips, abdomen, and arms, enhancing the beauty and fluidity of the female body. Oriental dance, through its rhythms, style, and interpretation reflects the mosaic of cultures that have nurtured it.

Arabic dance, on the other hand, brings together the multiple expressions of dance practiced in specific Arab countries, such as Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, etc. Each country has its own distinct styles and techniques, but all share common elements rooted in the richness of Arab culture. Arabic dance is characterized by footwork and expressive hand gestures.

Egyptian dance, as its name suggests, is specific to Egypt and does not designate a specific dance style or gender-specific dance, since men also dance the “Saidi” for example.

Further reading on this article.

The various styles of this dance reflect the rich traditions and cultural diversity that surround it. Each movement tells a story, and each style expresses a distinct emotion.

When a baladi oriental dancer begins to move, she wears her everyday attire, or a “galabeya,” a loose, ornate traditional dress, accompanied by a simple scarf around her hips. Her gestures are powerful and her feet firmly grounded. Her pelvis swings heavily, while her arms are constantly moving, always moving closer to her body, with a predominance of fluid, undulating movements.

This folk dance style is a vibrant heritage that is mainly expressed in the country of Morocco. Moroccan Shaabi dance and music are distinguished by a rapid rhythm and movements, especially those of the hips, the head and shoulders.

Qaada is a great example, somewhat similar to flamenco, but with faster and more complicated rhythms. In fact, there are recent flamenco performances feature qaada dancers.

Classical oriental dance, known as Raqs Sharqi, is a metamorphosis of traditional baladi. Each graceful movement, each arm gesture, each delicately executed demi-pointe, transports dancers and spectators into a captivating world. Spins and arabesques dominate the theater, demonstrating a great grasp of bodily expression. Whether performed is a solo or in a group, this dance fills the stage with a captivating presence. At its inception, this new dance style was inspired by the glitz of Hollywood and the magic of the Russian ballets. It was also during this period that the famous two-piece costume and the use of the veil appeared, adding a mystical dimension to this sensual dance.

Regional folk dances are a symphony of rhythms, spontaneous and passionate movements, uniting communities during festivities.

 The Saidi: Originating from southern Egypt, this male dance was once practiced by shepherds. It combines the power of the stick with graceful movements. Today, women perform this dance with elegance, sometimes without a stick, sometimes with a cane. Actually, it is also performer by a male-female couple.

Haggalah: Another captivating facet of Egyptian folklore, based on varying rhythms, transports spectators into a whirlwind of emotions, reflecting the strength and grace of these nomadic women.

Fellahi: A peasant dance, a testament to the grace and vitality of those who work the land. The dancers’ long, flowing dresses swirl gracefully, capturing the essence of the peasants’ daily lives.

Melaya: The oriental dancer, wrapped in a veil, moves with captivating sensuality, playing with the audience and captivating every gaze. Two styles, Alexandrian and Cairo, offer a variety of movements and expressions.

Ghawazee: A Gypsy dance that blends grace and mystery. The rapid, jerky movements of the hips transport spectators into a whirlwind of sensations.

The list is far from exhaustive, and we can cite Khaliji dances, specific to the Middle East, such as the Dabkeh (Lebanon/Syria and Palestine).

The Raggada in eastern Morocco and the Alaoui dance in Algeria are both extremely rhythmic dances that men perform using their feet and shoulders. Morocco’s Ahouach dances are characterized by their extravagant jumps and polyrhythms.

Each of these folk dances demonstrates the diversity and beauty of dance in each nation while paying a lively homage to the history, customs, and passion of its people.

Fusions have become increasingly popular, seamlessly blending belly dance with other captivating styles such as oriental flamenco, oriental tango, and tribal. These fusions create a unique artistic experience, gracefully combining the distinctive rhythms and movements of each style. International pop singers have drawn inspiration from oriental dance in their shows and music videos, such as Shakira or Meriem Fares for the Arab world.