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What Is a Hip Scarf?

By Treva Bedinghaus, About.com

Question: What Is a Hip Scarf?
Answer: A hip scarf is simply a scarf or long piece of material tied around the hips for belly dancing. Hip scarves are either triagular or rectangular in shape, and may be decorated with coins or beads.

Belly dancers wear hip scarves to enhance the movements of the midsection of the body. A hip scarf worn at the hip increases the physical appeal of the dancer, accentuating every shake and shimmy for the pleasure of the audience.

Hip scarves can also be worn on other parts of the body. Some belly dancers choose to tie a scarf around their wrist to draw attention to the movements of their hands. A hip scarf can also be used as an ornamental covering for the face of the dancer. Draping a scarf across one side of the face makes the dancer appear mysterious, an exciting factor of the art of belly dancing.

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