Bellydance is also called oriental dance or raqs sharqi (which translates into oriental dance in Arabic). Oriental dance was coined bellydance in America when the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 featured Middle Eastern dancers.

Bellydance is said to be the oldest form of dance having roots from the orient to India to the Middle East. Oriental dance did not begin as a dance of seduction for the Sultan or to be viewed by men.

In the Muslim society, women celebrated with women and men celebrated with men in separate parties, so historically the two genders didn't mix. That is still true today in some Muslim countries.

Raqs sharqi was performed only privately among women all over the Middle East for entertainment when they were together for a celebration or other happy occasions such as the birth of a child, wedding or even something for them to do when bored!