Belly dance, also called Danse Oriental, is one of the oldest forms of dance, having roots in all ancient cultures from India, eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The term "belly dance" is said to come from the French "danse du ventre', which means "dances of the stomach". This fertility ceremonial dance is and was for women and was taught to young girls to prepare for childbirth.

These feminine movements may be circular, angular, undulating, or vibrating - isolating major muscle groups emulating mainly from the hips and "belly." Much of the upper body - chest, arms, head, shoulders, may move similarly in opposition, embellishing these movements of the hips and belly. Typically, bellydance is performed as a solo improvisation, but choreography and group dancing is very popular today. Usually performed barefoot, this ancient dance was thought by many to emphasize the intimate physical connection between the dancer and Mother Earth.

Dancers' accessories used are finger cymbals (dating back to circa 200 B.C), swords, snakes, large vessels, and sometimes candelabras, complete with flaming candles. Veils are also incorporated, even though veils have been used only in the last 100 years. In America, veil dances are common, and the use of fans have recently became another addition. However, most of these accessories are not commonly used in nightclubs in Egypt.
" Floorwork" is the term used to describe when a dancer performs on the floor on one's knees, sitting, or reclining and was a popular dance movement in the 1970's here in the United States. Outlawed in Egypt in the 1950's (presumably because it was deemed too risqué), floorwork is a tradition still carried on by many American dancers. Also outlawed in Egypt is the exposure of a woman's belly, so the professional belly dancers wear sheer body stockings to cover their bellies in order to be legal.

Today women around the world embrace this dance for exercise, a fun hobby, or a way to reconnect with their femininity and the ideals of ancestors who respected their bodies and Mother Earth.

Some of the hundreds of other styles of Middle Eastern dance:

Kaleeji – Saudi Arabia
Saiidi – “Folk dance’ – upper Egypt
Bandari – Iran
Debke – Lebanon
Guedra - Morocco
Tribal fusion – America