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Middle-Eastern / Orientale Dance In the Arab world RAKS SHARKI, commonly called "belly dance" in the West, refers to the theatrical solo improvisational dance that evolved during the golden era of the Egyptian film industry. The costume commonly used -a beaded bra and belt called bedlah- is based on western glamorization rather than the traditional costuming that would have historically been worn in the Middle East. The dance draws from folkloric forms of the region with movements emphasizing the hips, pelvis, and torso, and the highest value is found in emotional expression and interpretation of the music. RAKS BALADI is the social rather than staged version that is done for fun as part of familial and community celebrations and is typically learned in these environments by children from their older relatives. Though its roots can be found in the Middle East, "belly dance" is now a popularized worldwide phenomenon, in a way belonging as much to Western culture as to the East, with its form serving as inspiration for dancers all over world who are constantly revealing emerging forms and new interpretations.
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