Ghawazee

The Ghawazee dancers of Egypt were a group of female and male traveling dancers. Like most forms of oriental dance, much of the history of the Ghawazee dancers is unknown due to a lack of historical documentation. An ethnic group that has been exoticized in Western travel literature regarding and cinema portraying Egypt since the 18th century, they are seen as particularly sensual and are probably the origin for the contemporary notion of belly dance.

The Ghawazee were banished from Cairo to Upper Egypt by Muhammad Ali. Typically, the Ghawazee are represented as Gypsies, with a particular attention to their music and dance styles, featuring mizmars and heavy bass lines.

Representing diverse historical backgrounds, most of the Ghawazee of the Qena region belong to ethnic minorities such as the Nawar (or Nawara), Halab, and Bahlawen.

Particularly well known are the Banat Maazin family, Nawar gypsys that settled in Luxor and were filmed in the 70's and 80's. Many consider the Maazin family to be the only practicing family left of the original line of Ghawazee dancers.

The style of dance and costuming of the Ghawazee has been especially influential in crafting the look of American Tribal Style Belly Dance. Traditional Ghawazee dress consists of a Persian coat with slits, known as a Yelek. The abdomen is covered by these coats. Turkish harem pants are worn under these coats. The coats are typically ankle-length, though some modern Ghawazee troupes wear a shorter version over a full, knee-length skirt. Ghawazee dancers often adorn their heads with elaborate headresses, with dancers often accompanying themselves by playing zils, or small cymbals that are used by dancers in many forms of Oriental dance.