In the 1930s a dancer of Lebanese origin named Badia Masabny opened up a night club in Cairo. Influenced by European cabarets, "Casino Badia" which was later renamed "Casino Opera" was a cabaret with Middle Eastern and European entertainment. The dance went through some changes at this time. Having been traditionally performed in small spaces, it had to be adapted for the stage.

The costume also changed at this time. The original dance costume up to this time had either been a long, one piece dress with a sash tied around the hips, or a full skirt and sash with a vest and long shirt underneath.

	Cairo Dancers 1920

Inspired by Hollywood films and European cabarets, the two piece costume with beads and sequins first appeared. The Egyptian film industry was flourishing at this time with many of the films being musicals featuring dancers. Through exposure in these films, dancers achieved a celebrity status which could have never been achieved in the past. The glitzy costume styles spread and have been a staple of most all professional Oriental Dancers ever since.

There have been several variations on this glitzy beaded costuming including some pretty bold offshoots like American Tribal Style that mixes ethnic textiles and tidbits from various cultures liberally. Also some dancers have returned to certain older traditional styles of dress for folkloric performances or historical reenactments.

click here to close window