Raqs Sharqi or Belly dance will take you to the romance and fantasy of the arabian nights, harems and Bedouins of the desert. Popularly known as Belly dance all over the world, Raqs Sharqi literally means oriental dance. The name Belly dance is a misnomer nonetheless as not only the belly, but also hips, shoulders and arms are important in getting the correct sway and movements to the music. Nowadays different types of props are used like firesticks, fans, swords and canes, although they were unheard of in the olden days. The harem pants are the only authentic remaining part of the costume, the rest of the beaded and sequined gear are borrowed from the vaudeville, Broadway and Hollywood notions of Arabic attire.

It is erroneously believed to be a female art form but historical evidence, i.e., Turkish miniatures made during the Ottoman Empire show performances by young men and boys called köçeks. It was in the 1930s' Egypt that Raqs Shiraqi was intentionally altered to display an idealized perception of feminine glamour and grace. The current trend of male performance of this dance form had its beginning in the '60s and 70s, surprisingly in the United States.  Today there is a new breed of male dancers who have embraced belly dance with a revived interest.