Turkish belly dance – an overview

Turkish belly dance a style of belly dancing that has evolved over the centuries. It is

considered more flamboyant, bold and energetic than its Egyptian counterpart. While

the Egyptian belly dance tends to be more conventional in its dance movements, the

movements in the Turkish style of belly dancing are more pronounced and create a highly

sensual atmosphere.


In this form of dancing, the dancers are quite adept with using props such as finger

cymbals. In fact, the use of Zils (the Turkish name for finger cymbals) has become such

an integral part of this style of belly dancing that it is even believed that a dancer who

does not know to use the finger cymbals properly is not an expert in this form of dancing.

The Turkish belly dance again can be further sub-classified into the Turkish Oriental

style and the Turkish Romani style.


The music used for the Turkish style of belly dancing is also quite unique. There is this

9/8 beat rhythm called ‘karsilama’ which is unique to the Turkish form of belly dancing.

This type of music is not used by its Egyptian counterpart.


Dance movements are quite prominent with wide pelvic and hip movements, undulations

and shimmers. The footwork also covers a large area. Extensive floor work with a lot of

sensual movements is also an important feature of this belly dancing style. The use of

veils is also quite common. It serves to make the dancer more attractive to the viewer.


Costumes for the Turkish belly dance are the usual 2 piece bra-top and skirt with a

complementing belt. However, the skirts used here may be much shorter than those used

in the other belly dancing styles. There may be a number of slits in the skirt and top of

these dance costumes as well. Usually, more of the body is revealed by these costumes in the

Turkish style. All these costumes are also heavily decorated, just like the belly dance

costumes for other styles. The dancers also use other matching jewelry such as bracelets,

ankle bells, necklaces, head pieces, etc.


The overall emphasis in a Turkish belly dance with its fast tempo music, bold and showy

bodily movements and revealing costume is on sexuality and the viewer gets a feel of the

dancer being quite flirtatious.

Western outlook on belly dance

Belly dance is a traditional dance that bears its roots from the Middle East. It consists of rhythmic dancing that involves focused and isolated movements of different parts of the body in a smooth, fluid, wavelike rise and fall or side to side motion. Much unlike what the name implies, belly dance has more to do with movements of the pelvis and the torso, with the arm movements accentuating the contours of the body and the pelvic movements; rather than actual movements of the belly itself.

Belly dance is found to have both a spiritual as well as a scientific denomination. In the ancient days this form of dancing was performed to celebrate womanhood with its unique strengths. It served to connect the dancer’s mind with her body and the earth. The various intrinsic movements of the body enabled her to connect with her own body and soul, and bestowed within her an inner peace and a superior confidence to face the realities of the world. These dances were also performed only among members of the same gender and not as a means of entertaining men. Certain movements of the belly dance are also said to be associated with child birth and it is said that it prepares a woman to face such situations with strength and courage.

However, when belly dance was introduced to the western world during the 18th and 19th centuries, the core ideals were altered, thanks to money making interests of the theatre and movie makers. These dances were portrayed as being more sensual and revealing and this served to attract throngs of viewers. Americans got their first taste of this form of dancing during the World’s fair held in Chicago in 1893. Since then this dance form has gained popularity and evinced a lot of interest among the American population.

However, in the recent years, with the free flow of knowledge and the enthusiastic work of researchers, the true value and spirit of belly dancing has been brought to light and therefore has risen in respect in the eyes of the western world.

Costumes are also an important part of this dance form as the dance itself. Belly dance costumes are designed such that they help in highlighting the body movements of the dancer. Flamboyant dresses that emphasize the contours of the body and heavy  dance jewelry supported with a variety of props are today’s trend in the costumes for belly dancing in the western world.

Origin of Belly dance

Most of the dancers and dance lovers think Egypt is the origin of Belly dance. Though there is no written proof, or evidence,  many historians relate belly dance to "Gobek Dans" which is a Turkish dance form. Belly dance we now see and enjoy is developed over hundreds of years by the influence of many eastern cultures and religion and it still continues to develop and spread. The women in the middle eastern countries consider this dance as a sacred, classical social event performance only to be seen by women. In fact the name "belly dance" is the westernized name of the middle eastern social dance. Egyptian tomb paintings from the fourteenth century BC displays positions appear to be very similar to those used in belly dancing. Belly Dancing postures also has been seen in Persian miniature paintings from the 13th century.

Until the middle of 19th century, all the belly dance forms were only popular in the middle eastern countries and Africa. The Arab term Raqs Sharaque is used to refer the social dance in most of the middle eastern countries. Similar forms of social dances exists in Palestine and is known as Raqs Baladi. The belly dance known to westerners today is the combination of several such social, ethnic folk dances and  so finding the exact origin will be a difficult task. Even though in the middle eastern countries this was a social and classical dance, outside this region the dance started getting its popularity during 19th century and was gaining momentum during the Romantic movement. Dancers from this region traveled and out and drew attention and crowd in the western region.

Belly dance movements

Belly dance is developed and practiced uniquely by females and it emphasizes on the movement of the hip, chest and abdominal muscles. There are various styles of belly dance namely Oriental (Egyptian), Turkish and Western tribal. Even though all these styles vary slightly, the common basis of the dance is smooth and sensual movements involving the chest and abdominal body. The music is very important to this and as in any classical dance form and the dancers job is to express the rhythm and feeling of the music to audience through the body movements. 

Belly dance costume styles

Most essential part of the belly dance costume includes a bra, belt and a pant. The bra and belt are decorated with sequins, stones and beads and can be very expensive depending upon the type of ornaments used for decoration. Depending upon the audience the top and pant can be more or less revealing. Common practice nowadays is to have full covering top, some times even with full sleeves, matching belts and pant or skirt. Depending upon the occasion the belly dance costume can be more or less glamorous.  Please visit our website to see pictures of some of the modern day belly dance costumes and jewelry.