History:
Oriental dance or belly dance includes many folk dances from different origins.
The most likely hypothesis is that this dance was born in the temples of the ancient Egyptians (-2000 BC). Originally, it was associated with ancient fertility rites, combining both to religion and esotericism. Time of the Pharaohs, sacred priestesses twirled their bodies and waving their belly so that the goddess of love and fertility came to take possession of them.
In parallel it is with the same round hips movements, arms and hands, that Indian celebrated Kali, goddess of fertility. In the fifth century, much of the gypsy tribes left India driven by famine; some go to Europe via Turkey, the others follow the south coast, through Mesopotamia and arrive in Egypt.
In Egypt, three dance coexist:
-Sha'abi , folk dance,
-Baladi (or Beledi) ballet dance
-Sharqi cabaret dance.
In Greece
-Tsifteteli Greek, male war dance behind and taken up by women, characterized by the use of canes and many breaks leg
Link to Main Contest:
Link to Main Perfomer:
Zaza Hassan, Tito, Mayodi, Wael Mansour
Link to Tuto:
Link to Movies:
Similar Dances: