A Glossary Of Belly Dance Terms

Note: Throughout this glossary, many terms and song titles are mentioned which come from Turkish, Arabic, or other languages. These Middle Eastern languages have alphabets which are different from the Roman alphabet that the English language is based on. Different people will spell these words differently when using the Roman alphabet. For example, "beledi", "baladi", "beledy", and "balady" are all possible legitimate spellings for the same word. I have tried to show more than one possible spelling for words that are frequently spelled various ways, but I don't claim to offer a comprehensive study. If you don't find the word you're looking for under the spelling you expect, keep looking--it may appear elsewhere on this page under a different spelling.

I have attempted to offer guidelines on pronunciation. I am American, and therefore my pronunciation guidelines reflect how I pronounce things with my American accent. If you really want to pronounce things authentically, then your best bet would be to make friends with native Arabs and Turks and have them teach you.

Last update: March 24, 2002

Al Jeel. (Pronounced "ahl JEEL".) This refers to a style of music popular in Egypt today, which is representative of the students and more mobile youth of Egyptian cities. It's a reaction to Western influence, to new technology, and the universal need of young people to get up and dance. The al jeel style first emerged in the mid-1980's. Like city kids everywhere, the young Egyptians wanted their own music, and they wanted it fast and danceable. Lyrics are variously about love or country, and rarely stray into more sensitive areas. Vocalists who are representative of the al jeel style include Amr Diab, Hanan, Ehab, Mohamed Moneer, Khedr, and Adel El Musree. A CD that includes several excellent examples of al jeel music is Yalla Hitlist Egypt, which is available from several belly dance vendors and other merchants who specialize in Arabic music.

Assaya. See the entry for Raqs Al Assaya.

Assuit. (Pronounced "uh SOOT".) See the entry for Tulle Bi Telli.

Awwady. (Pronounced "uh WAHD dee".) In Arabic music, this refers to the free-form improvised instrumental solo that has no underlying rhythm. This is often used for the opening few phrases of music played for a belly dancer, and it is then followed by the fast- or medium-tempo entrance music.

Chalwar. (Pronounced "CHAL war".) An alternate spelling is shalwar. Chalwar are pantaloons. The word originates from Persia.

Chiftitelli. (Pronounced "shift uh TELL lee".) An alternate spelling is chiftetelli. The word has taken on several meanings. In one of its meanings, it refers to a certain Turkish drum rhythm which is in 8/4 time. (8 beats to a measure, a quarter note gets one count.) The Arabic-speakers call the chiftitelli rhythm "wahad e noss" or "dar e noss" ( "1 & 1/2" or "hit & 1/2"). Another use of the word chiftitelli refers to an improvised musical section by a solo melody instrument that is layered over the top of that pulsing rhythm (similar to the Arabic taxim, which is defined below). There are two primary ways the chiftitelli rhythm may be played--as a fast, spirited, upbeat song, or as a slow, hypnotic, sensuous melody. The fast chiftitelli originated as a folk dance done by couples and occasionally groups, but is now frequently used by belly dancers who enjoy Turkish music. When belly dancers refer to chiftitelli, they are usually thinking of the slow chiftitelli, which they may use for floor work, balancing, or standing undulations. Greeks spell this Tsiftetelli, and in Greece this word refers not only to the musical definition of the word but is also used to mean "belly dancing" in general. That's why many Greek recordings intended for belly dancing contain the word "tsiftetelli" on the label.

Choli. (Pronounced "CHOH lee".) This is the bare-midriff, fitted blouse worn under saris by women in India. A close fit is the main characteristic of the choli, since it serves both as an undergarment and a blouse for the sari. The specific styling of the choli can vary from one region of India to another. Use of the choli for belly dance practice outfits and costumes was popularized by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance in San Francisco.

Debke. (Pronounced "DEB kee".) This is a folk dance native to Lebanon. It involves intricate footwork, and often some squats, and is done to folkloric music. The upper body is held in a proud, upright posture with minimal movement.

Def. (Pronounced "def".) This is a Middle Eastern frame drum which looks like a large tambourine.

Gallabiya. (Pronounced "gal uh BEE yuh".) This Arabic word refers to a simple-cut full-length dress or robe. For example, when the costume shown in the photo to the left was purchased in Egypt, the vendor referred to the white robe portion of it as a gallabiya. The term also refers to the full-length cotton robes that many men in Egypt still wear for everyday life today instead of shirts with pants. Ghawazee. (Pronounced "guh WAH zee".) This term refers to the tribe of Gypsies that settled in Egypt. (The singular is Ghaziya.) When the Ghawazee were banished from Cairo in 1834, they settled in southern Egypt. Their music, dance style, attire, and other cultural attributes are distinctly different from those of the Saidi, who were the indigenous people of southern Egypt. Extensive information about the Ghawazee and their role in the history of belly dancing is available in a book called "Serpent Of The Nile" by Wendy Buonaventura. Guedra. (Pronounced "GEE druh" or "GI druh" where the "g" is hard, like in the word "get", and the "gi" syllable uses the short i sound like in "it".) This is an ancient blessing ritual practiced by one of the Tuareg Berber tribes. The word Guedra has several meanings: it refers to the ritual itself, it refers to the particular Tuareg tribe that practiced it, it refers to a cooking pot, it refers to the drum that was made by stretching a skin over the top of the cooking pot, and it refers to the dancer who is actually performing the ritual. For more information about the Guedra, see the Guedra FAQ written by Me'ira at http://www.bdancer.com/GuedraFAQ.html.

Habibi. (Pronounced "hah BEE bee".) This word means "my darling" or "beloved" in Arabic, and appears in many Arabic song titles and lyrics.

Hafla. (Pronounced "HAHF lah".) This basically refers to a party. A private hafla thrown by a belly dancer usually involves Middle Eastern music (sometimes live musicians jamming, sometimes just taped music), dancers taking turns performing for each other, and some open-floor dancing for everyone to get up and enjoy the music. A more public hafla may be effectively a full belly dance festival, with vendors selling their wares and a more formalized stage show.

Haik. (Pronounced "hah EEK".) This is an article of clothing in Morocco, historically worn by the Tuareg Berber nomad tribes. It consists of a piece of fabric about 6 yards long, which is wrapped around the body and fasted in place at the shoulders.

Jeel. See the entry for Al Jeel.

Karsilama. (Pronounced "CAR si luh mah", where the "i" in the "si" syllable is pronounced like the "i" in "it".) This is a Turkish musical rhythm, in 9/8. This means there are 9 beats to a measure, and an eighth note gets one count. The accents occur on beats 1, 3, 5, and 7. In Turkish, it means "face to face", and there is a Turkish folk dance to this music which does involve partners dancing with each other face to face. Some belly dancers like to use a karsilama as their finale, because it's a very fast, very exciting rhythm. Songs which are based on the karsilama rhythm include Caderemen Ustunev (also called Rampi Rampi), Dere (which is Turkish), Marinella (which is Greek), Tamzara (which is Armenian), and Hoplada (which is Turkish). Click here to hear a brief RealAudio sound clip of Dere.

Kawala. (Pronounced "kuh WALL ah".) A type of flute made from a reed which resembles a Ney. Commonly used in Upper Egypt. Sometimes called a Shalabeya.

Kirik Havalar. (Pronounced "KEER ick HAHV uh lar".) This is a category of Turkish music. These are tunes composed of rhythmic and measured melodies--the type of music that you could hum along with. One example of this type of music is songs based on the karsilama rhythm.

Lower Egypt. Refers to the northern part of Egypt, which encompasses the Nile river's delta. The altitude is very close to sea level.

Maqam. (Pronounced "mah KAHM".) Plural is Maqamat. The literal translation from Arabic to English means "place". A maqam is the foundation of Middle Eastern music. Instead of using a "key" or a "scale" like Western Music, Middle Eastern music is based on maqams which San Francisco musician Mimi Spencer describes as "something more than a scale, something less than a tune". The four basic elements of a maqam are 1) important notes that anchor the melodies based on that maqam, 2) a basic scale, 3) characteristic modulations from that maqam to others, and 4) a prevailing movement.

Mawwal. (Pronounced "mah WALL".) Sometimes spelled Mawal. In Arabic music, this refers to free, non-rhythmic singing. It's a vocal improvisation that sounds melancholy.

Me-Attaa. (Pronounced "may AHT tah".) In traditional Arabic music, this refers to the question-and-answer that goes back and forth between a melody instrument and a drummer. This generally appears at the beginning of a song, immediately after a very brief opening taxim played by the melodic instrument, and serves as the prelude just before launching fully into the rhythm of the song to come. The word means "broken up bits of music and rhythm."

Mizmar. (Pronounced "MIZZ mar".) This musical instrument, which resembles a Zurna, produces a loud, blaring sound. It is a member of the oboe family of musical instruments.

Ouled Nail. (Pronounced "WELL ed nah EEL".) Tribe that lived in Algeria, near Biskra.

Qanun. See the entry for Kanoun.

Rakkas. This Arabic word means, "the male dancer".

Rakkasah. This Arabic word means, "the female dancer". This is also the name of a very famous, very popular annual belly dance festival that is held in Richmond, California (near Oakland).

Raqs. (Pronounced "rocks".) This is the Arabic word for "the act of dancing", and is sometimes spelled Raks. It usually appears combined with another word that defines what type of dance--for example, Raks Leyla means "Leyla's dance". ("Leyla" is a common Arabic woman's name.)

Raqs Al Assaya. (Pronounced "rocks all uh SI yuh", with the "SI" syllable rhyming with "pie".) Sometimes spelled Raks Al Assaya. This is the Arabic term for the cane dance. This dance originated in southern Egypt, in the region known as the Said or Upper Egypt. Traditionally, in the Said, men carried long sticks with them which they used as weapons, and eventually they evolved a dance (see the entry for Tahtiyb) in which they feigned fighting with these sticks. Women then began dancing with canes as a way of playfully imitating this men's dance, and eventually raks al assaya developed into a distinct women's dance. See the entry for Beledi for a picture showing Morocco performing raks al assaya.

Raqs Al Balas. (Pronounced "rocks all BAH luhs".) Water jug dance.

Raqs Al Shamadan. (Pronounced "rocks all SHAH muh dahn".) This is an Egyptian dance traditionally performed at weddings in which the dancer has a large, ornate candelabrum on her head. "Shamadan" is the Egyptian word for "candelabrum". A nice example of this dance is performed by Alia on the Arabian Melodies video produced by Sphinx Records.

Raqs Sharki. (Pronounced "rocks SHARK-ee".) Also sometimes spelled Raqs Sharqi. In Arabic, this means "dance of the East", and refers to cabaret-style belly dance as it is performed in nightclubs in Egypt, Lebanon, and other Arabic countries.

Raqsah. (Pronounced "ROCKS ah".) This is the Arabic word referring to a single specific dance.

Raqsat. (Pronounced "ROCKS aht.) This means many dances--the plural of Raqsah.

Saidi. (Pronounced "sah EE dee".) This refers to anything that has to do with the Said region of Egypt. The Said region is also known as "Upper Egypt", and is located in the southern part of the country. Raqs al assaya (the cane dance) originated in the Said. For an excellent example of Saidi music, listen to any cassette tape or CD by Metkal Kanawi.

Saudi. (Pronounced "sah OO dee".) People in the United States often use this to refer to anything that has to do with the region of the Saudi Arabia peninsula, especially the musical rhythm that is particularly associated with this region. A more appropriate term would be Khaleegy. See the entry for Khaleegy for more information.

Schikhatt. (Pronounced "SHE kaht".) Other valid spellings include Chikhat, Shakhatt, or Shikhatt. The Schikhatt is a particular style of dance which originated in Morocco. Originally, it was an erotic dance with exaggerated hip, stomach, and breast movements used to educate a bride during the pre-wedding festivities on how she will be expected to move in the marriage bed. More recently, the Schikhatt has become a social dance that women do with their families or female friends.

Shaabi. (Pronounced "SHAH bee".) This refers to a type of modern-day Egyptian music. Shaabi music is the music of the back streets of Cairo, modernized and not necessarily poor, but traditional. It includes woeful cries of mawwal, a vocal improvisation saddening melancholy hearts with themes never straying too far from the pain, torture, suffering, and betrayal that is life. Lyrics often stray into commentaries on events and social conditions. Vocalists whose music is representative of the shaabi style include Hassan El Asmar, Magdy Talaat, Sami Ali & Sahar Hamdy, Shaaban Abdel Raheem, and Magdy Shabeeni. A CD that contains excellent examples of shaabi music is Yalla Hitlist Egypt, which can be purchased from belly dance vendors or other merchants who specialize in Arabic music.

Shalabeya. See the entry for Kawala.

Shamadan. See the entry for Raqs Al Shamadan.

Shebecka. (Pronounced "shuh BECK kuh".) This is the Egyptian name for the body stocking that is worn with bedleh.

Souq. (Pronounced "sook", in which the "oo" sound is like that in the word "root".) It is sometimes spelled Souk, Suq, or Suk. In Arab countries, this is a market place, with row upon row of stalls of vendors selling their wares. Belly dance event organizers will sometimes refer to the section of their event that features the vendors as a souq.

Sufi. (Pronounced "SOO fee".) A sect within Islam focused on philosophy and mysticism. One Sufi form of expression that most Westerners have heard of is the "whirling dervish". The whirling is a form of movement meditation.

Tahtiyb. (Pronounced "tah TEEB".) It is sometimes spelled Tahtib or Tahteeb. This is a men's dance, done in Upper Egypt (the region in southern Egypt known as the Said). It is a martial arts dance, in which the men enact fighting with the long sticks as a weapon. Raqs al assaya (the cane dance) done by Egyptian women arose as a playful imitation of this men's dance.

Takht. (Pronounced "tahkt".) This refers to a small ensemble of Egyptian musicians, often including oud, kanoun, nay, tabla & riqq (tambourine). Originally, the word referred to a small bench or bed, and in the early nightclubs of Egypt, the musicians sat on such a bench to play.

Taqsim. (Pronounced "tock SEEM".) You may also see it spelled Taksim, Taxsim, Taxim, or Takasim. It is an Arabic word which means "division", and refers to the section of music where a specific instrument is playing a solo. The Arabic taqsim is improvised—in a restricted sense—according to traditional patterns, and is almost never played in the same way twice. Musically speaking, any solo instrument improvising in the Arabic taqsim structure is playing a taqsim, including the drum taqsim that dancers usually call the drum solo. However, belly dancers often use the term another way, referring to the section of music consisting of slow, hypnotic improvisation of a melody instrument such as an oud or kanoun that is often used for either floor work, balancing, or standing undulations. Some belly dancers also use the word "taqsim" as the name for certain undulating movements that might be done to this musical section.

Tar. (Pronounced "tar".) This is a Middle Eastern frame drum which looks like a large tambourine. Another name for it is Def.

Thobe. (Pronounced "tobe".) You may also see this spelled Taub. This is the Arabic word for dress. Different styles of thobes are typical of different parts of Arabia. Many dancers say just "thobe" when they really mean "thobe al nasha'ar", which is a particular style of dress (see below).

Tulle Bi Telli. (Pronounced TOOL bee TELL ee.) A textile art from Egypt in which tiny bits of metal are attached into net fabric (tulle) to create a design. The Egyptian name means "tulle with metal". Dancers in the United States made up the name "assuit" to describe this fabric.

Ud. See the entry for Oud.

Um Kulthum. (Pronounced "oom kahl THOOM".) Um Kulthum was a much-beloved vocalist whose songs were very, very popular in Arabic countries. Other spellings for her name include Om Kalsoum, Um Kalthoum, and other variations. She recorded literally hundreds of songs, including Inte Omri, Ana Fi Inti Zahark, Leilet Hob, Lisah Faker, Hazizi Leilati, and many others. She was born around 1904 (the exact date isn't certain), and first became famous around 1928. The 1940's and 1950's became known as the "golden age" of Um Kulthum. She continued recording through the 1960's, and died in 1975. To view a longer list of songs she popularized, as well as learn more about her, visit the Al Mashriq web site. Translations for the lyrics to three of her songs can be found right here on this web site.

Upper Egypt. Refers to the southern part of Egypt, also known as the Said.

Uzun Havalar. (Pronounced "OOH zoon HAHV uh lar".) This refers to Turkish music that has no rhythm or measure, and sounds improvised. It is conceptually equivalent to the Arabic taqsim.

Zagat. See the entry for Sagat.

Zaghareet. (Pronounced "zah guh REET".) The zaghareet is a high-pitched ululation done with the tongue. It is a sound of celebration associated with weddings, parties, and other joyful occasions. Within the context of belly dancing, it is a favorite tool for expressing approval for whatever the dancer is doing at the time, and sometimes dancers themselves will zaghareet to express how much fun they're having at the moment.

Zeffa. (Pronounced "ZEFF uh".) This term is often used to refer to an Arabic wedding procession. The newly married couple is led into the reception hall in a formal procession to acknowledge their new status. A zeffa frequently is led by a belly dancer. The term can also be used to refer to the musical rhythm that is characteristically used in the music played for these processions.

Zills. (Pronounced "ZILLS".) Sometimes spelled Zils. This is the Turkish name for finger cymbals.

Zumara. (Pronounced "zoo MAR ah".) A reed instrument with a backward cut. Made with a single tube.

Many thanks to Morocco and the many other members of the med-dance listserver on the Internet for sharing your knowledge about Middle Eastern dancing, language, and culture! Without your generosity in telling the rest of us what you know, I wouldn't have been able to compile this glossary!

Many thanks to Morocco for giving permission for the photographs of her to appear on my web site. Morocco is a well-known instructor, performer, and dance researcher based in New York City. Her web site features several informative articles that she has written as a result of her research--check it out at http://www.casbahdance.org/!

I appreciate Mark Bell from the band Helm for taking the time to explain to me what a kawala and zumara are.

Thank you very much to John Rickman for taking the beautiful photographs of me wearing my thobe.

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