[Lauren_]

There's a lot more complicated veilwork in Turkish dance, which I think might have influenced the American dancers (whose dance is quite strongly based in Turkish style). The spinning and swirling is very Turkish, but I think the wrapping and unwrapping are rather American.

Yes, Egyptians are known for swishing and dropping, mostly. I've seen Fifi and others do a little more swishing before they drop, but they never seem so enthusiastic about it.

I *think* the consensus on history is that it started with the Samia Gamal, who was given a piece of fabric to carry by her ballet instructor to help with arm carriage. (someone here can name the ballet instructor, I think she was Russian?)

From there, it would have spread into Turkey (via travellers or films) where the veil took on a lot more importance as part of the flashier Turkish style. American dancers would have picked it up from some of their Turkish and Lebanese teachers, and would also have seen it in old Egyptian films. They put their own unique spin on it, of course.