Arabian dance, just like the many other dance styles, is not only about the movements. It has a wide range of costumes and accessories like the sword, the veil and tambourines. They fill the stage with glitter, and are laced with sequins to make an impact in front of the public.
These costumes have been created to make each movement stand out. The best known Belly dance costume is very sensual, with a pronounced neckline, but not all of them are like that. We have in other articles looked at what is belly dance and famous belly dancers – In this article we’ll give you a wider taste of the heritage and splendour of the many dance costumes styles used in Arabian dance.
The basic Bellydance costume:
The bodice
According to the rhythm that is performed, the bodice changes. Sometimes a transparent vest is placed on top of the bodice. The dancer’s abdomen is always uncovered so that her movements can be shown off. There are thousands of designs around the world, usually with sequins to shine in conjunction with the stage lights.
Belts
In addition to being used in rehearsal classes, they are also used in dance or performance costumes. These as well as the bodice are designed in Egyptian fabric and sequins or lace according to the taste of each dancer.
The hips move quickly and with force in each movement. That is why the belt must have clothes fastenings in the back, so that it does not come loose while dancing. You have to be very careful about that.
Skirts
The skirt is the element that gives the softness and style to the dance costume, as it has lace at the bottom. It can have a short or long opening at one or both sides, but most of the time the skirt must show a part of the leg, and not precisely to show sensuality. It must be like that so the dancer can move with ease around the stage with greater confidence.
Turkish and Egyptian Arabian dance costumes
The most popular producers of Arabian dancing costumes are Egypt and Turkey. However, each has things that make them unique.
Turkish costumes exude an ethereal quality, characterized by their airiness, shimmering textures, and remarkable flexibility. Their construction is often minimalist, incorporating wired frames beneath delicate fabrics for both belts and bodices. This unique design enables costume artisans to craft shaving shapes along the edges of these essential components.
The artistry doesn’t stops there; sculptural effects adorn the body of these costume through intricate beadwork and sequins. Three-dimensional marvels come to life as row of sequins are meticulously sewn with bead spacers, forming captivating floral, butterfly or star patterns.
The pursuit of subtle iridescence is realized through the delicate overlay of sequins. The ensemble is further elevated by the inclusion of delicate fringes, varying in length, bead colors and sizes.
When compared to their Egyptian counterparts, Turkish costumes offer not only aesthetic appeal but practicality as well. They are renowned for their comfort and ease, and they often come in complete sets, with charming sequinned accessories like headbands, hand pieces and necklets.
But they do have a drawback. While many Turkish costume makers have transitioned away from using delicate, easily breakable threads, those who engage in vigorous or frequent dancing may find themselves perpetually engaged in maintenance.
As for the spectators, in order to really appreciate the full impact of the Turkish costumes, the dancer has to be in close proximity to them. The subtle nuances of the crafted beadwork and overlays can be easily looked over in a vast room. Actually, they leave a very significant impression when shown on a table or hung in a wall, as thought they were works of art deserving of admiration.
On the other hand, the Egyptian belly dancing costumes are an embodiment of retro glam and glitter. They are a complete spectacle, with their glimmer which can be seen from afar. They have an innate way of captivating the audience, and they showcase and enhance a dancer’s movements with marvellous precision.
The design and making of these costumes can be equal to that of an Egyptian monument. They are made to last: the bodices and belts are crafted from heavily stiffened, heavyweight buckram, which is decorated with sequins, stones, fabric, beads and and sometimes adorned with fringe and beaded fringes.
Egyptian costumes endure the rigours of performances, and maintain their form independently. This robustness extends to gowns, skirts, veils and all other professional-level accessories hailing from Egypt.
Nonetheless, this opulence comes with a price: altering an Egyptian costume can be very challenging. They are weighty, have a limited flexibility and can cause discomfort and scratching too. Also, finding a well-fitting outfit can be a difficult task. The basic bra is only available in few styles and 3 sizes, so there’s little room for adjustments.
Raks al shamadan
This dance is also known as “candelabra”. It is normally danced at weddings, and during the procession, the dancers and musicians follow the dancer with the candelabra, as in guiding the groom and bride and lightening their way.
This is danced with either the traditional belly dance costume, or with a full dress with no neckline with long sleeves. Sometimes, the dancers might wear a veil underneath the candelabra.
Ghawazee
The Ghawazee costumes evolved pragmatically, influenced by regional styles and fashion trends. Contrary to misconceptions, they resembled everyday Ottoman women’s attire, with added hip scarves for dance.
The Maazin sisters, renowned for their performances, crafted elaborate, heavy skirts to establish their unique identity. These costumes weighed over thirty pounds, with styles shifting over time. Ghawazi performers in Luxor, Quene, and Esna wore 1.5″ heels or wedgies. They also creatively used vintage 1950s jewellery in their crowns, adding charm to their performances.
Beledi
Beledi means “my home town”. This dance has a distinct dress. It is long, close-fitting and of floor-length. The Beledi dress is accompanied by a scarf on the hip and another on the head. Its usually made of natural fibres (like cotton), giving a very folkloric look. It also uses glittery fabric and or sheer, which is used for cabaret belly dance performances.
Khaleegy Dress
These dresses are also known as “Saudi Thobe”, and in arabic its called Thobe al Nasha’ar. It is used for folkloric dances from the Persian Gulf. It is a wide, rectangular tunic and the fabrics are usually transparent, and have heavy embroidery on the wrist, neck and chest areas, as well as bright embellishments and ornaments. It is accompanied with earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Gallabiya
This dress is the traditional garment of Egypt, and its used daily by both women and men. It’s a full-length dress, and it’s not always used for dancing. Belly dancers use the Gallabiya to cover themselves up before or after dancing, whether to maintaining some mystery, or to differentiate their performing time to their downtime.
Belly Dance accessories:
- Finger Cymbals: In belly dancing the cymbals are played by the dancer accompanied by the darbouka. Also called zils, a word derived from the Turkish “zilya”, which means cymbals or zagat, in the Arabic language. These were sacred instruments around 1000 B.C. Used in Turkey and from Arabia to Morocco
- The Sword: this element is used in the dance known as Raks al Sayf. The sword dance uses a slow rhythm, such as the masmudi, to execute delicate turns and movements with the sword balanced on different parts of the body such as the head, hips, bust, belly or limbs, although faster rhythms can also be incorporated if desired. The sword is a symbol of male power and therefore this dance expresses strength, imposition, precision, and struggle, so although the dancer dances with grace and sensuality, her expression must accompany the symbolism of power and defiance.
- The Veil: In the West the veil has had a great reception, however the importance given to it depends a lot on the country, in Egypt for example it is uncommon to see dancing with veil, since in some places in the East its use is interpreted as a kind of striptease and therefore or do not use it or do it very briefly, shedding it quickly to not discomfort the public. In Lebanon, on the contrary, it is given a lot of importance and many turns and movements are made with it, exploiting to the maximum the possibilities it offers.
Other known dance accessories:
- Silk veil fans
- Isis wings
- Candelabra
- Tambourines
- Asayas (“canes”)
So hopefully that’s given you a little taste of the breadth of Arabian dance costumes out there.
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I studied diplomacy and law, but currently I am following my deepest passion which is being a writer. I have experience as a dancer in flamenco, belly dance, and ballet, and it is my pleasure to write about dancing!