Links/Resources

Practice Music for Bellydance Classes:

Website and resource site for music of the Middle East.
Also, Maqam's mp3 belly dance page, for previews and instant downloads


  • Souhail Kaspar and Dr. A.J. Racy.  Awzan:  Arab Rhythmic Modes.  
Available through Near East Music.  This is a wonderful collection of different Middle Eastern rhythms, played clearly, and often accompanied by melodic instruments, making it also useful for taksim practice.

  • Solace.  Rhythm of the Dance. Available through iTunes.  
Simple renditions of popular rhythms used for bellydance.  No melodic instruments; percussion only. 

  • Various Artists.  Aziza Raks!  The Passion of Belly Dance.  
Available on  iTunes and for download or CD at Amazon.   A great collection of many classic bellydance songs.  Popular songs used by dancers all over the world for performance and practice are included.  It helps to familiarize yourself with these classic songs recorded by several of the top Middle Eastern orchestras. 


Links to Janelle's Youtube playlists for reference:

Sa'id    

Binat Mazin

Nile Delta Fellahin

Suez Canal and Mediterranean Coast

Western Desert and Siwa Oasis

Eastern Desert (not Beja) and Sinai Bedouin

Beja

Nubia

Orientale/ Bellydance 1940s and '50s

Orientale/ Bellydance 1960s and '70s

Orientale/ Bellydance 1980s and '90s


External links to websites, articles, and books:


General Reference, Education, and Enjoyment:

Binat Mazin, other Ghawazi, and Awalem history:

Nile Delta and Northern Coast:

Suez Canal Area:

Bedouins and Berbers of Egypt and Areas Bordering Egypt:
  • C. Klunzinger, Upper Egypt: its people and its products (1878, 2000)
  • A.E.P. Weigall, Travels in the Upper Egyptian Deserts (1909 & 1913)
  • L.A. Tregenza, The Red Sea Mountains of Egypt (1955)
  • G.W. Murray, Dare Me to the Desert (1967 & 1968)
  • G.W. Murray, Sons of Ishmaels: A study of the Egyptian Bedouin (1935)
  • J.J. Hobbs, Bedouin Life in the Egyptian Wilderness (1989).J. Starkey, O. El Daly.(ed), Desert Travellers: from Herodotus to T.E. Lawrence (2000)