belly dance, known also as Raks Sharqi or Danse Orientale, fits into a broader category known by its practitioners as Middle Eastern Dance (MED). It is an art form that celebrates the feminine form, feminine strength, Middle Eastern music and the rich and beautiful culture tied to it. The more commonly recognized style of this dance originated in Egypt in the early to mid-twentieth century. It is more commonly performed solo by women, but has more recently developed into a form of expression for dance troupes and men. Belly dance has also developed into many different styles throughout the years in addition to the traditional Raks Sharqi such as: American Tribal Style (ATS), Tribal Fusion, Gothic Belly Dance, and American Cabaret style. Each style has its own unique flavor to offer, but all of them are tied to the original Egyptian style dance in some way.

   Women and men who study MED spend years of their lives and much of their energy studying this form of dance. Not only is a serious dancer required to learn the technical aspects of MED movements, but they often find themselves compelled to study the use of props (veil, cane, sword, Shamadan (candelabra worn on the head), zills/sagat (finger cymbals), etc.), choreography, history, Middle Eastern culture, the Arabic language and Arabic music theory. Many dancers also choose to branch out into other forms of dance such as Central Asian, Flamenco, dances of the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait..), and Egyptian folk dance styles.