Back to AtlantaBellyDance.com Home Page 
Home >> Overview >> Saudi - Khaleeji

Saudi Style Belly Dance
Khaleeji


Khaleeji dance is the dance of the Persian Gulf States and Saudi Arabia using the Khaleegy rhythm. It is very different from the Egyptian Saidi dance in costuming, in feeling and in movement.

The women’s costume is called a thobe nashal, an oversized overdress, which is a very full, often highly embroidered caftan. The thobe nashal is used as both costume and prop. It is a wide dress in a brilliant color elaborately adorned, especially around the neckline. No hip scarf or belt is worn.


Since the dress is free-flowing due to the lack of a belt, the dancer's movement is focused on the upper body and footwork, and includes a lovely way to toss long hair from one shoulder to the other. In other words, most movements are centered in the shoulders and there is a distinctive hair toss.

The dress is held up in front like an apron and made to billow as the pelvis undulates gently to a R-L-R, L-R-L stepping pattern. The dance also features lots of spins, chest drops and tossing of unbound hair from side-to-side. The huge sleeves are at times held up like a hood to frame head slides or used coquettishly like a veil.

Kay Hardy Campbell is an authority on this style dance.