Top 10 Male Belly Dancers and Teachers
Last Updated on February 4, 2024
Nowadays, belly dance is a predominantly female art form; however, in the past, it was not so.
In belly dance’s countries of origin (Egypt and Turkey) men used to perform the same type of dance that women did and also they could perform for a male audience, which female dancers did not always do.
Hence, male dancers were in demand. It was only with the arrival of westerners that male belly dancers became fewer and fewer, as westerners preferred to watch women dancing.
Also, the mentality in Turkey and Egypt changed, so that nowadays in those countries men only perform folkloric forms of dance, rather than Raqs sharqi.
Men also dance socially to Shaabi music, using some movements that are typical of what we know today as belly dance.
Nevertheless, there are now more and more performers from various countries in the world, who perform belly dance in its different forms.
They perform folkloric dances, as well as Raqs sharqi and American tribal, which was traditionally reserved for women.
Currently, there are several male belly dancers around the world.
Below is a list of 10, I know of. If you know any more, please feel free to add your comment below.
1. Ibrahim Akef
Ibrahim was a famous Egyptian belly dance choreographer, who passed away in 2007.
He taught many famous dancers and his style influenced a lot of modern dancers such as Raqia Hassan, Khaled Mahmoud, Dina, and many more.
2. Dr Mo Geddawi and Mahmoud Reda
Dr Mo Geddawi and Mahmoud Reda are two of the founders of the Egyptian Reda Troupe, which made Egyptian folk dance famous.
Dr Mo Geddawi and Mahmoud Reda are both soloists and choreographers and have taught (and still teach) workshops all over the world.
3. Khaled Mahmoud
Khaled is an Egyptian from Cairo but based in London, UK.
He dances Egyptian folk style as well as Raqs sharqi.
His style is very energetic and graceful at the same time.
He was at the International Bellydance Congress in the UK and he is very much in demand, so he is always teaching and performing in various festivals around the world.
4. Jim Boz
Jim is a male belly dancer based in California, whose style is quite earthy, and who also taught and performed at the International Belly Dance Congress in the UK.
He is now retired.
Amir Thaleb –belly dancer based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he runs his own academy. He is very appreciated all over the world and travels extensively to teach and perform.
5. Ahmet Ogren
Ahmet is a famous Turkish-style dancer from Istanbul.
He has danced for over 40 years and he has toured extensively, teaching Turkish folkloric dance and belly dance.
You can find Ahmet here on Facebook.
6. Mohamed El Hosseny
Mohamed is an Egyptian who is based in Finland, where he runs a belly dance academy where he teaches oriental dance to people of all ages and abilities.
Mohamed dances and is able to teach various styles including Shaabi, Egyptian Folkloric dance, and Simsimiyya.
You can find Mohamed here on his website.
7. Horacio Cifuentes
Horacio is originally from Colombia and now based in Germany, where he runs an oriental dance academy with his wife, Beata.
Horacio loved traditional oriental dance, with his roots in classical ballet.
He has performed worldwide and now helps others to learn.
You can find Horacio on Facebook and his dance school site is here.
8. Ozgen
Ozgen is a Turkish dancer based in the UK, specializing in Turkish belly dance and gypsy dances.
You can learn more about Ozgen on his Facebook page.
9. Tito
Tito is a belly dancer and folkloric dancer from Egypt and is delightful to watch.
He dances the traditional Raqs Sharqi Egyptian style of belly dance and he still performs around the world.
Other Male Dancers
There are more than 10 great male belly dancers, of course. below I list some more of the great dancers around. I will update this list as I come across more dancers.
Serkan Tutar is a male dancer from Turkey, who teaches and performs worldwide.
I went to some of his workshops in Essaouira, during one of Nawarra’s Morocco trips. He is a very patient teacher as well as a lovely performer.
Tarik Sultan is a really international dancer. Based in New York, he has done research, performed, and taught worldwide.
He is very knowledgeable about the history of this dance, as well as the movements.
Other male dancers include Zack (tribal dancer from Texas), Said Rashid and Samir Abut from Argentina (who both run belly dance schools there), and Jimmy from Greece just to name a few.
In terms of dance in the community and local belly dance classes, I still have not been in a class where there are male dancers, nor have I seen anyone perform at a local hafla.
However, I think it is just a question of time and we will see more men joining the belly dance community.
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Dr Valeria Lo Iacono is a belly dancer and a dance researcher with a PhD in dance and heritage. Valeria also teaches and performs as a belly dance but also enjoys learning ballet, jazz dance and other dance genres.
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Don’t forget Tarik Sultan of New York, and Tito of Egypt. Boz is retired.
Yes, Tito and Tarik are great dancers! I will add them to my list the next time I update the post.
Thank you, Zorba.
The next time you update your list, you might want to consider adding Serkan Tutar, a male dancer from Turkey. I’ve taken workshops he taught, and I’ve seen him perform, and he’s worthy of being included on this sort of list!
Hi Shira, yes definitely. He is very good, I took lessons from him in Essaouira, Morocco, during one of Nawarra’s trips. You were there too:) He comes and teaches in the UK sometimes.
That’s terrible! I will update the page ASAP!
You also forget Hassan Zaza and Asi haskal one of them form Egypt live in France and the other one lives in Jurslem
Since my last comment, I’ve learned that Boz has passed away. Used to see him dance at Rakkasah most years years back. He helped me with a costume one time!