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Male Belly Dancing


There has always been a tradition of men cross-dressing to emulate women and dance with a feminine flair. They are called Cengi (Syria), Kojak (Turkey), Batcha (Persia), Qawaal (Arabia), and Hawaal (Egypt). Since the Middle East is a segregated society, at certain times and places in history, it has been seen as improper for women to dance in the presence of men. Female impersonators traditionally have taken their place. Today, Turkey seems to be the most tolerant of these dancers. Many people report experiencing these performances. Some audiences see them without knowing it because the dancers have achieved their goal to pass as females.

Not all male dancers in the belly dance world, however, are female impersonators. Some men may develop provocative stage personalities, perform isolated body movements, and demonstrate physical feats of abdominal strength, agility, and flexibility that astound audiences of men and women alike. Sometimes they employ swords, sticks, and capes as props. Such is the fun of show business.

Among the most famous 20th century males in the profession are John Compton and Bert Baladine of San Francisco, Ibrahim Farrah and Yussari Sharif of New York, Amir of Boston, Aziz and Jason of Salt Lake City, Jim Boz and Alfredo of the Northwest, Said el Amir and Horecio of Germany, Prince ArKhan of Turkey, and Mousbah Baalbaki of Lebanon. until the music changes to a livelier tempo.


Joshua from Atlanta

(source: www.learn-to-belly-dance. com/styles.html)