Dancing at the crossroads

Belly dancing originated in Greece and came to Egypt when Alexander the Great (356-323BC) built the coastal city of Alexandria, according to some researchers. Others trace its origins to northwestern India and Uzbekistan.

Regardless of its beginnings, belly dancing has become a popular performing art as well as a mode of self-expression and entertainment, from the Middle East to the United States and Australia.

In Egypt, belly dancing is equally popular among foreign visitors and locals. "Despite restrictions triggered by a revival of Islamism in this predominantly Muslim country, the belly dance is still a major attraction in most wedding parties," says Khalil Sadek, a folk-arts researcher.

There are two forms of belly dancing. The first is raqs baladi (a local dance), which is generally performed during festive occasions. The second form - a more theatrical version - is called raqs sharqi (oriental dance). Like raqs baladi, raqs sharqi is performed by both male and female dancers.

In the West, raqs sharqi became very popular during the Romantic Movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, inspired by the Orientalist view of harem life in the Ottoman empire. The dance form caught on and spread to various Western countries. Weekend Review analyses how belly dancing morphed from mere entertainment to an art form.