Belly dance originating in the Middle East, typically performed by a woman and involving undulating movements of the belly and rapid gyration of the hips. Bellydance is a Western-coined name for "solo, improvised dances based on torso articulation originating, especially raqs shariq (Arabic: رقص شرقي‎).Other names, which are sometimes used for the dance in English speaking countries, include Oriental dance, Egyptian dance, Arabic dance or Middle Eastern dance.

 

Belly dance takes many different forms depending on the country and region, both in costume and dance style, and new styles have evolved in the West as its popularity has spread globally.