The Arabic Dance
Arabic Belly Dance is one of the oldest dances in the world that combines elements and techniques of different countries in the Middle East and North Africa, although their precise origins have primary origin as ancient Egypt.
There are historical documents that prove that this sensual dance was used by the priestesses of the banks of the River Nile.
In Arabic countries this dance is called Raks Sharki that literally means Oriental Dance.
The name of the belly dance is beginning to be used in the nineteenth century by Europeans who travelled to exotic lands in search of new cultures, customs and landscapes. These travellers coined this term caught up in the belly and hip movements that did not exist in European dances. We have to distinguish between Raks Sharki (Oriental dance) and Raks Baladi (Dance of the People).
The Raks baladi dance is a more elemental, almost without movement, and predominant hip movements. Raks Sharki is the most refined and rich. It includes movements of Egyptian folklore, classical ballet and contemporary dance, with large movements, revolutions and movements for all parts of the body, although the hip ones are the most important.