Merrybellies Belly Arts

Belly Dance Appreciation 101

How to be a Great Audience Member

Dear Audience, 

Belly Dancers love an interactive audience.  Its tradition!

The energy of the audience may directly affect the dancer's performance.  Clapping, smiling at the dancer when she makes eye contact, calling out ("Go Girl" works great, but if you can do it in Arabic, even better!), and using the zaghareet are wonderful ways to enliven the dancer and help to create the best possible environment for an exhilarating experience! 

Clapping: Clapping to the music, or applauding a particularly impressive part of the performance, encourages the dancers to give it their all!

Body Language: Smiling, moving to the music, and leaning forward in your seat indicate to the dancer that you are enjoying her performance. Don't be shy about eye contact!  

Voice/Calling Out: Yes, its appropriate and usually much appreciated when the audience speaks up!  Even if you call out something as simple as "Nice!" or "Go Girl!" the dancer will likely feel complimented.  Better yet, use Arabic compliments!

Aiwa (aye-wah) - "Yes!" or "We know what you mean!"

Habibi (ha-bee-bee) - "Baby!" or "Beloved!" 

Hizzi, Hizzi - "Shake, Shake!" or "Shake it!"
Hizz Ya Wizz - "Shake your booty!"

Jameela (jah-mee-lah) - "That's beautiful" (referring to a woman)

Opa: Joyful expression most appropriate for Turkish and Greek performances (sometimes the dancer will shout this as well, when moved)

Y'allah (yah-lah) - Slang.  Caution, if you're religious.  Means "Oh, God" or "God help me."  Slang interpretation: "Let's go!"  "Come on!"  "Give us more!"

Ya Hallah: "A Welcome Sight."

Ya Helwa (yah hel-wah) - "You're beautiful!" (referring to a woman)

Wendy Buonaventura, author of Serpent of the Nile (see below), observed these encouragements: 

"Light of my eyes!"

"How sweet you are!"

"You are my light!"

The Zhagaroot (or Zhagareet, plural):

How to Zhagaroot: Women in the Middle East and North Africa continue the tradition of the zhagaroot, which is a loud trilling that sounds something like "loo loo loo loo loo...." The sound is made in celebration at weddings, births, and other auspicious events. Women also make this sound while participating in belly dancing as observers. 

Women usually cover their mouths while zaghareeting.  Some say this prevents evil spirits from entering.  Others say its to hide the inside of the mouth (politeness).

Hissing: Done in appreciation of serpentine movements... but not everyone may understand this expression, so use with caution.   

Tipping: Its appropriate to tip dancers! (My dancers and I appreciate it very much.)

Dancing: After the show, dancers sometimes engage the audience (especially at a belly gram or belly dance party) and lead the audience in basic belly dance movements (demonstrating, if necessary, or merely encouraging dance if the group already knows how!).  During the show, dancing is fine unless you distract from the show or block the view of other audience members!  

Most Importantly: Have Fun, and enjoy the performance!

 

 

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