What is belly dance?
Belly dance — raqs sharqi in Arabic — is a solo dance of isolations: shimmies, hip drops, figure eights, undulations and camels, layered on Middle Eastern rhythms. American studios teach Egyptian cabaret, Turkish, tribal fusion and FCBD Style (formerly American Tribal Style), a group improvisation format created in San Francisco.
History
Middle Eastern dance reached American audiences at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Egyptian stars such as Samia Gamal and Tahia Carioca shaped the cabaret style; Carolena Nericcio founded FatChanceBellyDance in 1987, defining American Tribal Style.
Basic technique
- Hip and chest isolations
- Shimmies, hip drops and lifts
- Figure eights, camels and undulations
- Zills (finger cymbals) and veil work
Music & tempo
Arabic, Turkish and fusion music organized by rhythms such as maqsum and baladi.
What to wear
Fitted top, flowing skirt or pants and a coin hip scarf; barefoot or dance sandals.
How to get started
Beginner belly dance classes are welcoming for all ages and body types.
We list 136 studios that teach belly dance, or browse all dance studios by state.
Belly Dance in historic images
Openly licensed images via Europeana; rights statements on each item page.
Recent research
- Can belly dance and mat Pilates be effective for range of motion, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms of breast cancer women? — Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 2021
- Gallbladder ascariasis. — The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology, 2011
- Can mat Pilates and belly dance be effective in improving body image, self-esteem, and sexual function in patients undergoing hormonal treatment for breast cancer? A randomized clinical trial. — Archives of women's mental health, 2023
- Mat Pilates and belly dance: Effects on patient-reported outcomes among breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy and adherence to exercise. — Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 2023
- Effectiveness of dance in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized, single-blind, controlled study. — Clinical and experimental rheumatology, 2012
Books about belly dance
- Serpent of the Nile by Wendy Buonaventura (1989)
- Gendered Bodies and Leisure by Rachel Kraus (2016)
- The performance of Jewish and Arab music in Israel today by Amnon Shiloah (1997)
- Belly laughs by Rod Long (1999)
- Dancing fear & desire by Stavros Stavrou Karayanni (2004)
- Belly Dancing for Fitness by Tamalyn Dallal (2004)
Encyclopedia summary
Belly dance (Arabic: رقص شرقي, romanized: Raqs sharqi, lit. 'oriental dance') is a Middle Eastern dance. It features movements of the hips and torso. A Western-coined exonym, it is also referred to as Middle Eastern dance or Arabic dance.
It has evolved to take many different forms depending on the country and region, both in costume and dance style, with the styles and costumes of Egypt being the most recognized worldwide due to Egyptian cinema. Belly dance, in its various forms and styles , is popular around the world and is learned through formal instruction in dance schools, studios, workshops, and private lessons , as well as through family and community traditions in its countries of origin.
Frequently asked questions
Is belly dance good exercise?
It builds core strength, coordination and flexibility; the Compendium rates ethnic and cultural dancing at about 4.5 METs.
How many calories does belly dance burn?
About 331 calories per hour for a 155-lb (70 kg) person, based on a MET value of 4.5 from the Compendium of Physical Activities. See calories burned belly dance for every body weight.
Related styles
Flamenco
Andalusia, Spain (Gitano/Roma culture)
World & Cultural DanceBollywood Dance
Mumbai (Hindi film industry)
World & Cultural DanceAfrican Dance
Sub-Saharan Africa (hundreds of traditions)
World & Cultural DanceIrish Dance
Ireland
World & Cultural DanceHula
Hawaiʻi
World & Cultural DanceBhangra
Punjab (India and Pakistan)
World & Cultural DanceBharatanatyam
Tamil Nadu, India
World & Cultural DanceKathak
North India
Last reviewed October 2026 · Editorial policy