There are two basic varieties of oriental dance: "raqs baladi" and "raqs shargi".

Even though it seems that in oriental dance it's just the abdomen that moves, it actually includes the whole body in the movement. Belly dance is usually a solo act, but it can also be produced as multiple person choreography.

Throughout history, various styles of belly dance have developed under influence of different cultural conditions. Oriental dance has become popular for multiple reasons - entertainment, art, and the ritual.