SEQUIM — Laura Samperi-Ferdig has been studying belly dance since she was 8 and teaching since she was 16. “Belly dance is one of the oldest known art forms,” she said. “Its true name is Raks Sharki ...

Belly dancing is the Western name for a form of dance, which is believed to have evolved in the Middle East. Egyptian tomb paintings dating back to 1400 BC chronicle partially clad dancers whose ...

Although the history of belly dancing is murky before the late 1800s, many experts believe its roots go back to the temple rites of India. Probably the greatest misconception about belly dance is that ...

To understand why belly dancing is enjoying such popularity today, it’s important to set aside certain preconceptions. Banish the image of nubile harem girls undulating under an Arabian moon for the ...

A woman's social dancing eventually evolved into belly dancing as entertainment (Dans Oryantal in Turkish and Raqs Sharqi in Arabic). Although the history of belly dancing is murky before the late ...