Men in Belly Dance

Contrary to what most Americans think about Belly Dance, it is not just a dance for women. Recently in America, the dance has transitioned from an all-female dance to a dance for anyone wishing to express a sense of freedom or confidence. However, male belly dancers have been common in the east as early as the 16th century when the Ottoman empire had male dancers called "cengi". These dancers used many of the moves we recognize as belly dance moves today and their costumes were similar to those of early belly dancers. Like most oriental dancers, Cengi generally wore caftans that allowed the dancer to appear more gender neutral and therefore be appreciated for the talent and not the gender.Modern male belly dancers face social hardships due to the face that bellydance in thought of as a female exclusive art. Male dancers seek equality in the world of belly dance and are often turned down for jobs and festival performances base on their gender. Just like women have had to fight for rights and equality in several other fronts, belly dance is a field in which men are trying to find equal footing and trying to find a place to fit in and be accepted. 

Ex: Cengi dancers of Ottoman Empire

Ex: Documentary on difficulties of being a modern male bellydancer in a female dominated art