Many styles of belly dance exist. Most dancers find that one style, whether it be Fly Fusion or traditional, speaks to their heart. It’s the style that brings them joy and wants to make them practice and learn more.
Dancers can use DVDs that teach at the style they love. Find reviews of DVDs that are of a specific style by using the buttons below
In this article
ATS
ATS (American Tribal Style) belly dance is a modern form of traditional belly dance created. ATS was started in the United States in the 1980s by Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman and her dance troupe, Fat Chance Belly Dance. It’s a fusion of traditional Middle Eastern belly dance, flamenco, Indian classical dance, and other world dance styles.
ATS most noticeable innovation is group improvisation, where dancers communicate through a series of non-verbal cues and standardized movements to create a cohesive and synchronized group performance.
ATS features strong and fluid movements of the hips, torso, and arms, and often incorporates finger cymbals and colorful costumes with flowing harem pants, head wraps, tasseled scarves, and coins.
The ATS dance style is known for its emphasis on collaboration, community, and empowerment. It is popular style of belly dance worldwide and inspired the creation of several ATS-based dance troupes and studios.
Bollywood
Bollywood style belly dance fuses elements of traditional Middle Eastern belly dance with Bollywood-style Indian dance. It uses energetic, rhythmic movements and a playful, upbeat style. It often incorporates Bollywood-style music, costumes, and choreography, as well as traditional belly dance movements and techniques.
Bollywood style belly dance is known for its use of props such as veils, swords, and fans. It often features group choreography with synchronized movements. This style also incorporates elements of Indian classical dance styles, such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam, especially hand gestures and mudras.
Cabaret
Cabaret style belly dance was the first style to evolve from traditional belly dance. The Cabaret style originated in Egypt in the mid-20th century. It was created for entertainment purposes and was often performed in nightclubs and cabarets.
Cabaret style has a strong emphasis on fluid, sensual movements of the hips and torso, and intricate shimmies and isolations of different body parts. Dancers usually dance to traditional or modern Middle Eastern music.
The dance style is typically performed solo, with the dancer wearing a bedlah, which is a two-piece costume consisting of a bra top and a full, flowing skirt. The costume is often decorated with beads, sequins, long fringe, and other embellishments. Costumes are very blingy.
Cabaret style belly dance influenced the development of other belly dance styles and continues to evolve and adapt to new cultural influences.
Fly Fusion
Fly Fusion belly dance fuses elements of traditional Middle Eastern belly dance with contemporary and urban dance styles. Canadian dancer and choreographer, Asharah, created Fly Fusion. It is known for its fluid, sensual movements and innovative choreography.
Fly Fusion belly dance incorporates a wide range of movements, including hip isolations, shimmies, fluid arm movements, and pops and locks. It also incorporates elements of jazz, hip hop, and other urban dance styles, as well as electronic music and world fusion.
Solo dancers and small groups both perform in this belly dance style. Dancers wear modern, urban-inspired costumes, such as crop tops, leggings, and jackets. Fly Fusion choreography is often complex and innovative, with a strong emphasis on musicality and expression.
Gothic
Gothic style belly dance fuses elements of traditional Middle Eastern belly dance with Gothic subculture aesthetics and music. Gothic belly dance emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Gothic belly dance has a dark and moody aesthetic. It focuses on slow, fluid movements and dramatic, theatrical presentation. It incorporates elements of Gothic music, costumes, and makeup. Gothic belly dancers often use props such as swords, fans, and veils.
Gothic belly dance often uses intricate floor work, slow undulations, and isolations of the hips, arms, and torso. It is often performed solo or in small groups and is known for its expressive and emotive qualities.
Gypsy/Romani
Gypsy style belly dance was inspired by the dance traditions of the Romani people, also known as Gypsies. Please note that the word “Gypsy” is considered derogatory by many members of the Romani community. Hence, dancers should approach this dance style with cultural sensitivity and respect. Gypsy style belly dance is not a traditional dance style, but a fusion of various dance styles, including belly dance, Flamenco, and Eastern European folk dances.
Gypsy style belly dance is characterized by a lively and expressive style, with an emphasis on strong, percussive movements and fluid, undulating movements of the hips and torso. Dancers use swords, traveling steps, fancy footwork, spinning, and floor work.
Gypsy belly dance is performed as a solo or as a group. Dancers wear colorful, flowing skirts, scarves, elaborate jewelry, and headpieces. It is known for its improvisational style, allowing dancers to interpret the music and express their individuality and creativity.
Traditional/Egyptian
Traditional belly dance refers to the various dance styles that have been passed down through generations in the Middle East and North Africa. These dance styles are deeply rooted in the cultural and social traditions of their respective regions and have evolved over time to reflect changes in society, music, and fashion.
Traditional belly dance styles vary depending on the country and region they come from, but they generally share common elements such as fluid, undulating movements of the hips and torso, shimmies, and isolations of different body parts. The dance style often incorporates finger cymbals, veils, and other props.
Traditional style belly dance is often performed by women at social gatherings, such as weddings and other celebrations. It is considered a folk dance and is an important part of cultural and social events in many Middle Eastern and North African countries.
Traditional belly dance is sometimes referred to as Egyptian style belly dance because much of the world associates belly dance with Egypt. Traditional belly dance has gained popularity worldwide. However, the dance has a cultural and historical context that should be respected, by dancers outside of the traditional cultures. Its evolution and cultural significance should be studied and understood by dancers who wish to perform it.
Tribal Fusion
Tribal Fusion belly dance is a modern belly dance style that combines elements of traditional Middle Eastern belly dance with various other dance styles, such as Flamenco, Indian classical dance, hip-hop, and contemporary dance. Tribal Fusion was developed in the United States in the 1990s by dancers who were interested in creating a fusion dance that blended different cultural and artistic influences.
Tribal Fusion belly dance style uses fluid and sharp isolations, intricate body movements, and a strong emphasis on improvisation and group choreography. It also features very slow body isolations. This style often uses elements of theatrics, costuming, and storytelling, creating a visually stunning and expressive dance form.
The style can be performed in a group or as individuals. Dancers usually wear elaborate costumes and chunky jewelry that reflect the fusion of different cultural influences.