Question: What Is Raqs Sharqi in Belly Dancing?
Answer: The term "raqs sharqi" means "dance of the East" or "dance of the Orient." Raqs sharqi is the Arabic name for what Americans refer to as belly dance. This Egyptian form belly dancing is lighter, with many movements performed on the balls of the feet. Upper body movement is abundant, with plenty of arm waves and shoulder shimmies.
As it is a "show business" style of belly dancing, raqs sharqi dancers tend to wear bright, glitzy costumes with lots of sequins and beaded fringes. Elaborate, close-fitting dresses are often worn with deep slits on the sides to draw attention to the legs.
Music for raqs sharqi is composed using a wide range of instruments, in order to give dancers a wider selection of movements. The music, originating mostly from early Egyptian-Classical styles, consists of simple Arabic pieces to more modern Turkish tracks.
