Thread: understanding diff types of bd

okay, just recently I've become interested in what different styles of bd dance are. Like just recently I saw an old clip Petite Jamilla from a workshop she did, and everyone said it was hip hop or african, but others said it was really turkish styling.

so now I'm interested in what raqs sharki, beledi, tribal bd, persian, turkish, egyptian, gypsy, etc is and what they look like, etc.

any ideas please?

Originally Posted by Ahava_Melantha

okay, just recently I've become interested in what different styles of bd dance are. Like just recently I saw an old clip Petite Jamilla from a workshop she did, and everyone said it was hip hop or african, but others said it was really turkish styling.

so now I'm interested in what raqs sharki, beledi, tribal bd, persian, turkish, egyptian, gypsy, etc is and what they look like, etc.

any ideas please?

This 3-part article on my web site won't answer all your questions, but it gives you a place to start: Belly Dancing: Dance Styles Used In The U.S. Parts 1 & 2 were updated a couple of years ago. The section of Part 3 that comes BEFORE the costuming section was updated at that time as well, but the costuming section and the parts that follow are somewhat out of date. I keep hoping to update those too soon.

There's no such thing as "Persian belly dance", but there is Persian classical dance which is an entirely different dance form from belly dance. (I think Persian classical dance is breathtakingly beautiful, by the way.)

Welcome to Bhuz, Ahava!

I'm working on an article on the various styles of belly dance. It includes video links so that you can get idea of what each style looks like. So far I've only completed the section on North American belly dance styles, but I'm planning to add sections on Egypt, Turkey, and Lebanon as time allows. It's a work in progress!

A Rough Guide to the Styles of Belly Dance - North America

There is no instant answer. Reading articles by knowledgeable people (like Shira) is a good start. Little clips - as on YouTube will flesh out your understanding - but you really need to watch lots of well labelled belly dance. YouTube clips are too short and often mis-labelled. You need your own library of DVDs so you can watch them over and over and compare the performances of same dancer with herself and others.

Another learning oppportunity is workshops - again with knowledgeable teachers.

"Raqs sharqi" (please not "raqs sharki') - just means professional belly dance for the stage which is not folkloric. In Egypt they call it "Orientale". Usually it is to orchestrated music - quit elong - with lots of rhythm changes. The dancer changes her style to fit the type of music and if the music is complex there will be lots of layers. (Samia Gamal, Ngawa Faroud, Souhier Zaki - at times)

"Beledi" can mean any community dance - including folkloric - or professional dance with a more relaxed styling (Fifi Abdou and Aida Nour do this - at times)

"Persian" is usually classical reconstructions or folkloric. Most people wouldn't call it belly dance.

"Gypsy" is a misnomer - and the very word can cause a fuss. Basically, there isn't a "Gypsy Belly Dance". There is Turkish Rom which heavily influences some Turkish dancing. Some people include the Egyptian ghawazee as "gyspies" - but it doesn't really fit. Actual Gypsy (Rom) dancing varies enormously and usually takes on aspects of the local dance.

Princess Farhana just uploaded a series of articles about the different styles. Look for the five-part series "THE THINKING GAL'S GUIDE TO BELLY DANCE STYLES..." on her blog PRINCESS FARHANA.

I also have a website that's a work-in-progress with lots of video clips. I've covered beledi, Raqs Sharqi, Turkish Oryental, Saiidi and Khaleegy so far.

Belly Dance Stuff

Since everybody else is sharing their cool articles. I'll share mine too, so you'll have lots to read, watch and enjoy:

a styles of Oriental Article:

Different Styles of Oriental Dance


a professional dancer's primer - that is slowly going through a re-edit. The links at the top have picture and the playlists linked:

Professional Oriental Dance Set Primer

and then feel free to peruse my playlists:

YouTube - ‪shemsdance's Channel‬‏

There are about 140 on different topics, most of which are specifically belly dance related. So you'll want to click the button to show more. There are so many topics to learn about.

thanx so much. you ladies are a wealth of info. thanx so much.

Shems (et.al.), I apologize in advance! But, having been reading Dr. Seuss with my daughter, I read this and immediately finished it differently:

Originally Posted by shems

There are about 140 on different topics, most of which are specifically belly dance related. So you'll want to click the button to show more. There are so many topics to learn about.

... "There are so many things you can read about -but- you'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut."