Belly Dance, Ethnic Expression

The Ghawazee is a Gypsy dancer. Not considered respectable, they were nevertheless enjoyed as entertaining musicians and dancers.

"Traditional Ghawazi dress consists of an Ottoman coat with slits, known as a Yelek or entari. The abdomen is covered by these coats. Turkish harem pants are worn under these coats." -[3]

In some ways the Ghawazee is the oldest form of today's belly dancing performance. It was the Gypsy of the Muslim world that traveled and brought entertainment to the countries that the Ottoman's conquered, and then spread from there into some of the folk dances of different regions. For this reason you may see some common elements in Flamenco dance of Spain, belly dance of Greece and belly dance of Egypt. But Gypsy dance, too, has regional styles and Ghawazee is the dance of Egyptian gypsy performers. Remember, in Muslim countries dancing was frowned upon, but people everywhere have always liked to be entertained, and dancing is great entertainment- just look at the popularity of 'Dancing with The Stars" or " So You Think You Can Dance" TV shows today.

Ghawazee products to buy:
Ghawazee Zills/Finger Cymbals/Zils
Velvet Peacock Ghawazee coats
16th Century Safavid Persian Woman Pattern

Egyptian Cabaret is a very popular style, and considered by many to be the classic type, seen often in movies, and performed in many clubs.
Egyptian Cabaret is a contemporary Egyptian nightclub style, very controlled, elegant, refined and often includes some ballet.

The costume is usually the "bedlah" or dancers set of decorated belt, bra, skirt, headband, and pantaloons.



Add graceful elements:
Belly Dancing Costume Set | Full Circular Skirt-coin Bra & Belt

A new-old type of belly dance is the tribal forms that are very popular today. Although rooted in a style that belly dancers of earlier decades researched and added to their repertoire, this genre has taken on its own characteristics and is now known as "American Tribal". It is still evolving, other forms are branching from it to grow into a very different, yet related, part of the belly dance style of dance.

Interesting Costuming:

Perhaps because belly dance is such an ancient form of dance, there are many ethnic interpretations of it throughout not only the Middle East, but parts of Northern Africa and the Balkans in Europe. Greece, Turkey, even Bulgaria have their forms of the dance, or elements of the belly dance in their folk styles. Gypsy dances sometimes have bellydance moves included and there is a whole genre of belly dance that is Gypsy, the Ghawazee.

Velvet Peacock Gypsy costume can give a richly embellished Gypsy look.

Check out early versions of belly dance interpretations in Belly Dance in Old Movies

Tribal, or American Tribal, is a fusion combining elements of Arabic, African, Flamenco, Indian, and Turkish dances. From this style, goth and modern interpretations of belly dance have branched off.

American Tribal often fuses the classic belly dance moves with yoga. Also, "tribal" is just that... it is meant to be danced within a group context, the costume is eclectic, and the music is a steady beat with strong drum accompaniment.

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There is an emphasis on hip movement, and most of the costuming for these dances includes some form of clothing that accentuates this. Hip belts with coins, or scarves with fringe and many variations... but all include something that helps show the shimmies and hip movements.

In Turkey the dance "göbek dans" is considered as originating further east and is called "Oriental dance" there."Turkish dancers are known for their energetic, athletic (even gymnastic) style, and particularly their adept use of finger cymbals"

"The Turkish Belly dance costume consists of bra, belt and skirt. Common to Turkish Belly dance costumes are: 6 to 18 inch beaded fringe attached half way up the bra cup, with a center piece draping between the cups. Alternatively, the fringe may be attached at the base of the bra and extend around the back or only across the front. In either scenario the fringe on the belt attaches at the base.

The surface of the belt and bra are stitched in one color of sequin with a contrasting color used to create a design on each cup and in the center (front and back) of the belt. This is often a flowing abstract design, though sometimes recognizable patterns such as clam shells, diamonds, flowers etc. are used."-orientalbellydancer.net

-Often including sheer harem pants.

Two particular moves are associated with the Turkish style:

1) Turkish backbend:

2) Turkish drop.

Karshilama is a line dance to an interesting 9/8 rhythm that can be counted 1 2 3, 123 (three slow, three fast movements); the Karsilama rhythm in a 9/8 time signature in Turkish music.

portions of this information quoted from "Turkish Style Bellydance"