Raqs Assaya is generally accepted throught the Middle East as having originated in Egypt. The dance is call "raqs masri" in some arab countries, which means "dance of Egypt." Raqs Assaya means "dance of the stick," or "cane."

Some 18 or so years ago in Arabesque Magazine, Ibrahim Farrah stated that Egyptian dancers always perform the dance is some kind of beledi attire and not in belly dance costume. Jodette Silhi stressed this same thing in her classes as well as stating that it is traditional to wear a headdress when performing Raqs Assaya. Although I have seen video footage of dancers using the cane in belly dance costume, even Egyptians, I can see two very good reasons for using beledi costumes. First they are the traditional costumes for the dance even in stage situations. Second, it helps the uneducated audience to know that there is a different kind of dance from belly dance being performed, because it is not always possible to tell from the movements.

Costuming can take the form of authentic traditional garb or be very glitzy and modern. I have even seen Fifi Abdo, who is one of Egypt's very famous dancers, perform the dance in a man's thobe, lace skullcap and tiny hip scarf!

As Bobby (Ibrahim) Farrah mentioned in his Arabesque articles, balancing the cane is not the primary focus of the dance in the Egyptian style. Spinning the cane, doing movements that are framed by the cane, walking with and posing with the cane and slapping the floor to accent rhythm are primary types of movements and implementations. Occasionally balancing the cane on the hip or bust, or throwing and catching it are acceptable.

Remember that the cane dance utilizes many of the same fundamental movements as belly dance because they have the same roots, but the style is completely different in some ways. Two good clues are make movements bigger and get down on your flat feet!

( This short essay is an introduction to A'isha's classes on Raqs Assaya.)