– This refers to a style of music popular in Egypt today, which is representative of the students and the more mobile youth of Egyptian cities. It is a reaction to Western influence, to new technology, and the universal need of young people to get up and dance. The al jeel style first emerged in the mid-1980's.
Ayoub
– rhythm
Awwady (Pronounced “uh WAHD dee”)
– In Arabic music, this refers to the free-form improvised instrumental solo that has no underlying rhythm. This is often used for the opening few phrases of music played for a belly dancer.
Bedleh (Pronounced “BED luh”)
– In Arabic, this literally means suit. It refers to the cabaret-style beaded bra, belt and skirt that a belly dancer wears for a performance.
Beledi (Pronounced “BELL uh dee”)
– In Arabic, people who have relocated from their rural homes to the city would use this word to refer to “my country”, “my village” or “my home town”.
Beledi dress
– This is a long, floor-length dress, frequently used in belly dance Costuming. Made of natural fiber such as cotton, it gives a very folkloric look and is popular among dancers who do “American Tribal” style. Made out of sheer or glittery fabric, it offers a nice covered option for a cabaret performance.
Cengi
– Turkish term for gypsy.
Chalwar (Pronounced “CHAL war”)
– Chalwar are pantaloons or harem pants, the word originates from Persia .
Choli (Pronounced “CHOH lee”)
– This is the bare-midriff, fitted blouse worn under saris by women in India .
Gallabiya (Pronounced “gal uh BEE yuh”)
– This Arabic word refers to a simple-cut full-length dress or robe.
Ghawazee (Pronounced “guh WAH zee”)
– This is the tribe of gypsies that settled in Egypt . When the Ghawazee were banished from Cairo in 1834, they settled in Southern Egypt .
Habibi (Pronounced “hah BEE bee”)
- This word means “my darling” or “beloved” in Arabic.
Hafla (Pronounced “HAHF lah”)
– This basically refers to a party which involves Middle Eastern music, belly dancers taking turns to perform for each other and some open floor dancing for everyone to get up and enjoy the music.
La
– “No”
Marhaba
– “Hi”
Mabrook
– “Congratulations”
Me-Atta (Pronounced “may AHT tah”)
– In traditional Arabic music,this refers to the question-and-answer that goes back and forth between a melody instrument and a drummer.
Na'am
– “Yes”
Rakkas
– This Arabic word means, “the male dancer”.
Rakkasah
– This Arabic word means, “the female dancer”.
Raks or Raqs (Pronounced “Rocks”)
– This is the Arabic word for “the act of dancing” .
Salam
– “Hello”
Saidi (Pronounced “sah EE dee”)
– This refers to anything that has to do with the Said region of Egypt . The Said region is also known as the Upper Egypt, and is located in the southern part of Egypt .
Shukran
– “Thank You”
Taqsim (Pronounced “tock SEEM”)
– It is an Arabic term which means “division”, and refers to the section of music where a specific instrument is playing a solo. The Arabic Taqsim is improvised according to traditional patterns and is almost never played the same way twice. Belly dancers refer to the section of music often consisting of slow, hypnotic improvisation of a melody instrument such as an oud or kanoun that is often used for either floor work, balancing or standing undulations.
Yella-yella
– “Come on” “Let's go”
Zaghareet (Pronounced “zah guh REET”)
– The zaghareet is a high-pitched ululation done with the tongue. Within the context of belly dancing it is a favourite tool for expressing approval for the dancer, or the dancers themselves will zaghareet to express how much fun they are having.
