Baladi, Balady, or Beledi – In Arabic means "my country" or "my
home town".

Bedleh – In Arabic, literally means "suit." It refers to the
cabaret-style beaded bra/belt/skirt costume that a belly dancer
wears for a performance.

Belly Dance, Belly Dancing or Bellydancing – Western name given to a wide variety of Middle Eastern dances that involve isolated body movements. The exact origin of the term is not known but may have come from a misunderstanding of the word "Baladi" or the phrase "Danse du Ventre."

Danse Du Ventre – In French means dance of the stomach.

Oriental Dance or Danse Oriental – A term sometimes used
synonymously with Raks Sharqi is used more commonly to refer to the modern "belly dance" styles that evolved from Raks Baladi through american influences.

Raks – Means dance. The word is derived from the Assyrian word Rakadu "to celebrate."

Raks Sharqi – Literally means "dance of the East" and is essentially the same dance style as performance style "belly dance" in the West.

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