Raqs sharqi

Raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقص شرقي, Egyptian Arabic: [ˈɾɑʔsˤ ˈʃæɾʔi]; literally "oriental dancing") is the classical Egyptian style of belly dance that developed during the first half of the 20th century.

Based on the ancient Egyptian women solo dancing with almost nude-outfits, rural Egyptian folk styles and also to modernize it with western influences, such as marching bands, Latin dance, etc., this hybrid style was performed in the cabarets of interbellum period Egypt and in early Egyptian cinema.

The style is often considered the classical style of belly dance, although that term historically referred to the Awalem style (low-class dancers), and today covers a much wider range of Middle Eastern dance as well as Western styles developed from them.