What is raqs sharqi dance?

Raqs sharqi is a popular dance of the East, encountered in Egypt, North Africa and throughout the Middle East. It can be seen today all over the world in cabarets, theaters, festivals, on television or in music videos. It's also common to take classes in this dance - allowing it to be experienced in the context of a cultural social dance that is often performed at Arab ceremonies, for example. What is worth knowing about raqs sharqi dance?

What does raqs sharqi dance consist of?

This impromptu dance, consisting mostly of controlled and fluid hip movements, was once traditionally passed down from mother to daughter. The dance was performed in countless situations, such as when women met each other, but also in homes (for entertainment), as part of a performance or celebration. Nowadays, dance serves mainly as a powerful form of self-expression - every woman who dances raqs sharqi develops her individual style through it, inevitably revealing aspects of her personality and spirit. Dancing is thus a kind of display of the physical self. So, in this particular case, the word "dance," which comes parenthetically from the Sanskrit tanha meaning "joy of life," really... comes to life!

The early history of dance

Today's dance is probably very different from its predecessor years ago. Only certain movements, costumes and ethnic jewelry have been preserved to maintain the uniqueness of the dance. Historically, the dance was practiced in religious rituals of the ancient world, where it was meant to express the mysteries of life and death. The raqs sharqi dance was an integral part of daily life and had a connection to human existence.

As ancient civilizations became more sophisticated, dance in some areas changed from a religious ritual to a secular entertainment. And so, in the Arab world, it has survived as a form of entertainment and art. The raqs sharqi dance was even "picked up" by Gypsies, who tweaked the folk dance and began to make a living from it. Contrary to appearances, this group played an important role in the spread and development of raqs sharqi dance.

By the end of the first century, the dancers also organized themselves into so-called troupes, entertaining people in public markets - where coins were thrown at them. Having nowhere to store their earnings, dancers often tucked money into their dresses and hung coins on oriental accessories. Anyway, this tradition still prevails today.

Western Influence: The Oriental Age

In the 19th century, or the "Oriental" age, dancing was mainly recorded by travelers and artists who visited the Orient at the time. This included Egypt, India, Syria and Turkey. Dancers were exiled from Egypt after a short time, so they began arriving in the mid-19th century in the West to appear at the great world's fairs, created to showcase the new achievements of the era of science and technology and to expose world cultures. It was here that dance was "staged" as a theatrical performance and entertainment for Western audiences. Oriental raqs sharqi dance was considered mysterious, being a source of fantasy. At a time when women were not in the habit of showing even their ankles, Arab dance was often considered shocking - which, necessarily, increased its appeal.

Ethnic costumes and contemporary jewelry of raqs sharqi dancers

Until the 1920s, female dancers were accustomed to performing in everyday costumes. However, the 1920s saw the emergence of a costume that owed much of its form to inspiration from... Hollywood. The Western Oriental dance costume became a combination of a bodice and an airy skirt with side slits and ethnic accessories.

Nowadays, the outfit is meant to show off the body and dance skills - helped considerably by swinging tassels and glittering rhinestones. Shimmering jewelry is also very important in the dance, usually made of the purest silver, sourced in Afghanistan from the Kuchi tribe. Many belly dance performers classify such ornaments as iconic for a successful dance performance.

The main theme in raqs sharqi dance jewelry is the dazzling silver color. Ethnic earrings and bracelets are also enriched with colorful gemstones, which are used to beautify the raqs sharqi dancer. The jewelry is of the traditional design that the famous ornaments of the Kuchi tribe are distinguished by. Anyway, the jewelry is so unique that today we will see it not only on the bodies of gorgeous dancers - but also on the hands, necks or ears of women who pass us on the street every day!

Ethnic jewelry

Intermediates

Gallantry and accessories

Patches and tassels

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What is raqs sharqi dance?

Ethnic Jewelry

Long ring with red howlite

Sterling Silver Rectangular Larimar Ring – Natural Larimar

Sterling Silver Ring with Natural Baltic Amber and Inclusions

Rectangular ring with onyx cabochon

Green serpentinite in a decorative crown – a massive collector's ring

Delicate Opal Ring 51 mm

Purple Oyster – Candy Rebellion

Purple Oyster – Summer sparkle

Mini Silver Opal Ring

Moonstone ring

Rectangular lapis in openwork architecture

Ring with precious opal - aurora on the finger

Delicate Opal Ring 56 mm

Silver Ring Natural Moldavite

Red stone in a silver crown

Pakistani red agate ring in a wide band

Purple turquoise and copper ring – the beauty of contrast

Ring with natural white opal from Ethiopia

Square ring

Fiery Pietersite – Silver Form