(1)Raks Sharki Or ORIENTAL DANCE:

this is an adaptation of Beledi for the public. This style fuses Egyptian style Beledi with Persian, Turkish and Indian influences. This art form was formed during the Ottoman Empire when women lived in harems. This style is associated with the sparkling two-piece costumes that bare the midriff. Modern orchestrated music, influenced by a variety of cultures, accompanies Oriental Dance. The cabaret style of Raks Sharki was pioneered by the beloved Egyptian dancer Tahia Cariocca. In the 1930's she danced in Cairo. Then Madame Nagwa Foaud took over where she left off. Classical Egyptian Cabaret is an elegant, strong, graceful and highly choreographed style. The use of a large stage space is best, and the dancer wearing the most elaborate Madame Abla gown or full costume makes this a truly beautiful experience. She is always accompanied by a large orchestra. Many great Egyptian dancers such as Fifi Abdul, Mona Saaid, Nelli Fouad, Hanan, and Lucy use this formula to begin a long concert.

(2)Raks Beledi country style-- This style is danced in long dresses with a scarf tied at the hips. Raks Beledi is often danced socially among women at parties. The fabulous Egyptian dancer Zohair Zaki always performed Raks Sharki this way. She was magical and breathtaking. Her style is also earthy like Fifi Abdo, but she utilized a small space best. She did intricate moves within her space and preferred heavy, strong, yet simple percussion, much like myself. She always wore a Beledi dress. Zohair Zaki is a beledi woman who was always in control of either quick hip locks or her band, very elegant and classy. Zohiar was a rare entertainer!

(3)Folkloric Dance:

The Folkloric dance is a variety of dance forms that come from different regions of the Middle East. This dance is an earthy, heavy, and highly exciting style, in which the dancer, male or female, uses a stick or a cane. It is from the farm areas, the countryside, and when men perform this routine, it is done as to simulate a battle. It is a form of martial art. When the men dance, a big, large stick is used and it ends with a "mock fight." The Mizmar instrument is synonymous with saaidi style. It is a long, small, horn with an extremely high pitched sound. The attire is a long white, cotton robe or "Gala Baya." The women do this routine either in their oriental belly dance costume or they change into a dress, called a "Beledi Dress". This can range from a beautifully beaded gown with a long fringed belt and a head scarf to a cotton galabaya a robe like the men. Fifi Abdul wears only a robe with no belt. She is a very earthy, performer, who comes actually from the Saaid (farm). The ladies dance with a cane, not a stick. They twirl the cane in one hand while dancing. It takes a highly skilled dancer to do this correctly. It is too rare in the U.S. To capture the essence of a folk dance is imperative. Just going through the motions is not enough to show what the dance is about.

click here for a list of bellydance styles