Ancient Egyptian Dances
by Irena Lexova, Diane Bergman (Introduction), K. Haltmar (translator)
Excellent resource on the history, mystery and origins of belly dance. Has sections on purely movemental dance, gymnastic dance, imitative dance, dramatic dance, lyrical dance, funeral dance, religious dance, accompaniments of the dance, dance with musical instruments, movements of the legs, arms, and trunk, costumes of the ancient Egyptian women and men dancers, a note on the historical development of the ancient Egyptian art of dancing, and a note on the Egyptian dances, as performed by modern women dancers.
176 pages
Publication date March 2000
Dover Publishers, ISBN 0486409066

Arabic Musical Scales
by Cameron Powers
Paperback: 56 pages 
Publisher: GL Design (October 26, 2006) 
ISBN-10: 0974588245 
ISBN-13: 978-0974588247

The Art of Belly Dancing: Shimmy Your Way to a Sexier You!
by Melanie Votaw, Valerie Rushmere
Paperback: 62 pages 
Publisher: Running Press Book Publishers; Bk&Acces edition (June 1, 2004) 
ISBN: 0762418141

Badia'a Masabni, the legend jewel of the Nile, Vol. 1
This book is every belly dancer's dream come true! The late Badia's Masabni was a not only a legend in her own time, but many of her students became legendary dancers as well such as Tahia Karioka, Samia Gamal, Naima Akef and more. Read about Badia'a's experiences as the famous owner of Egypt's Casino Opera. Here fabulous story includes information about the life and history of the Ghawazee and Beledi as well as the tradition of belly dance in past years! Over 50 pictures included!
Price $15.95 (includes shipping & handling) - add $5.00 shipping for outside U.S.
send to: Jodette, 3216 C Street, Sacramento, CA 95815
email ZainJordan@aol.com - website http://www.jodette.com

Beauty and the East: a book of oriental body care
by Wendy Buonaventera & Isobel Eady
Paperback: 160 pages 
Publisher: Interlink Pub Group; (November 2000) 
ISBN: 1566563879 

Bellydance
by Dolphina
Paperback: 160 pages 
Publisher: DK ADULT (December 27, 2004) 
ISBN: 0756605555
 

Belly Dance: celebrating the sacred feminine 
by Martha Elena
Over 70,000 Photos of Belly Dancers were made in creating this exquisite portrayal. 
Photographed during a 10 year period in B&W and Color, in nature and during live performances. 
Prose and poetry on passion, the Goddess, and the power of the sacred feminine. A meditation on healing, found in the most ancient of dances. 
Large 10” x 12.5” Coffee Table Book 160 full color pages ~ 
120 Dancers Vellum overlays ~ Gold Metallic Ink

The Belly Dance Book: rediscovering the oldest dance
edited by Tazz Richards
The Belly Dance Book is a collection of articles written by dancers and researchers from around the world. Articles cover all aspects of the dance including history, philosophy, current events, costuming, make-up, spirit and music. Also included will be product reviews and a source directory, listing dance and dance-related professionals.
208 pages, B/W, full color cover
publication date: September 2000
ISBN: 0-9700247-0-3

Belly Dance: the dance of Mother Earth
by Tina Hobin
Tina Hobin has written a book outlining the roots of dance in myth and religious practices around the globe. She takes the evolution of the belly dance as a representation of the rites of passage from Ancient Greece to modern times, focusing on different forms of belly dancing and its place at the core of fertility rites and marriage ceremonies in Middle Eastern societies. 
Paperback: 262 pages
Marion Boyars; (June 2003) - ISBN: 0714530913

Belly Dance Wisdom: For Fitness, Pregnancy and a Divine Sexuality
by Deleela Morad
Paperback: 156 pages 
Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (November 22, 2006) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1601450915 
ISBN-13: 978-1601450913

Belly Dance with Amira Jamal: technique, tips and stories
by Amira Jamal
125 pages (Oct. 2002)
$24.00 postage included - $38.00 (Canadian, postage included)
Amira Jamal - 58 Oakvale Road, Framingham, MA 01701

Belly Dancing Basics
by Laura Cooper, Sarah Skinner (Photographer)
144 pages, (April 28, 2004)
Publisher: Sterling 
ISBN: 140271078X

Belly Dancing for Fitness: The Ultimate Dance Workout that Unleashes Your Creative Spirit
by Tamalyn Dallal
144 pages, (May 10, 2004) 
Publisher: Ulysses Press
ISBN: 1569754101

Belly Dancing: for Health & Relaxation
by Tina Hobin
Paperback: 96 pages 
Focus Publishing; (June 1982) - ISBN: 0715616056

Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art Of Energy And Spirit
by Pina Coluccia, Anette Paffrath, Jean Putz
Paperback: 192 pages 
Publisher: Park Street Press (October 30, 2004) 
ISBN: 1594770212 

Bellydance: a guide to Middle Eastern dance, its music, its culture and costume  
by Keti Sharif
Paperback: 132 pages 
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited (Australia) (February 28, 2005) 
ISBN: 1741143764

Bellydancing for Fitness : the sexy art that tones your abs, butt, and thighs
by Rania Bossonis
Paperback: 176 pages 
Publisher: Fair Winds Press; Book & CD edition (November 1, 2004) 
ISBN: 159233086X 

"Bertha Belly" Pincushion & Ragdoll Patterns 
by Vicki Corona
Paperback: 22 pages 
Publisher: Earth Dance International Publishing; 1 Ed edition (January 1990) 
ISBN: 1585130389
Volume I, Book 25. Two patterns. Craft a sexy, plump little pincushion to guard the glitter while you're out performing; functional & decorative. Also, craft a rag doll to keep you company & calm your nerves after a hectic night of dancing. Easy directions/pattern pieces. Great for gifts to sister belly dancers!

The Dancing Cymbalist - How to play music with finger cymbals & dance at the same time (Paperback)
by Jenna Woods
Paperback: 204 pages 
Publisher: Oyna Music in Motion Arts; 1 edition (November 1, 2007) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0977819302 
ISBN-13: 978-0977819300 

Dancing Fear and Desire: race, sexuality and imperial politics in Middle Eastern dance
by Stavros Starrou Karayanni
Paperback: 229 pages 
Publisher: Wilfrid Laurier University Press (January 2005) 
ISBN: 0889204543

Dynamic Belly Dance, The Joyful Journey of Dancemaking and Performing   by Ramona explains and illustrates easy techniques for creating choreography and improvisations, and provides teaching tips for coaching and mentoring students. The textbook illustrates artistic design elements, formatted structures of belly dance music, dance psychology, working with live bands, and presentation skills for performances. Inspirational quotes from dancers and real-life stories about how dances are created appear throughout the book, along with exercises to put concepts into practice. Info: www.DynamicBellyDance.com 

160 pages, color & B/W photos & illustrations

Published May 2007 by American Bellydance Innovations

ISBN 978-0-615-13326-3

Enlightenment Dance, Dancing Your Way to Eternal Bliss
by Rosane Gibson (Hozuhni)
Paperback: 200 pages 
Publisher: Authorhouse (March 2006) 
ISBN: 1420881221

Foundations (Bellydance for the Versatile Dancer, Volume I) 
by Zanbaka 
Publisher: ZD Publications; 1st edition (2007) 
ASIN: B0010BF9LS

How to be the Belly Dancer of Your Dreams 
by Kathreen
You can download book from Kathreen's website

How to Put on a Belly Dance Workshop: without going crazy
by Janie "Jenee" Midgley
Have you enjoyed workshops and shows in Reno, Nevada and wondered, "How do they pull it off and still remain so calm." Have you heard how laid back and fun the events are? Well now Janie "Jenee" Midgley reveals her secrets. She tells you about the mistakes and how she now avoids them. She even includes her Workshop forms for you to use in your own events. Plus contact information for over 25 workshop instructors. Sells for $20.00

An Illustrated Manual of Finger Cymbal Instruction: history, evolution, and related instruments
by Jamila Salimpour 
price $25.00

Insights and Inspirations for Dancers : a book of spiritual healing for dancers
by Tonya Chianis
Forward by Marta Schill:
"This prose of Tonya Chianis is simply the art of dance crafted into words and through her 'Spiritual Connection' to dance, Tonya has graciously created stepping stones for our own journey. This book serves as a beacon to brighten our path."
$8.00, including S & H,
40 pages, approx 4"x5"

Intermediate Belly Dancing
by Vicki Corona
Paperback: 28 pages 
Publisher: Dance Fantasy Productions; 1ST edition (October 31, 1989) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1585130249 
ISBN-13: 978-1585130245
price $14.95

Learn to Belly Dance
by Vicki Corona
Paperback: 34 pages 
Publisher: Dance Fantasy Productions; 1 Ed edition (April 1989) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1585130230 
ISBN-13: 978-1585130238 
price $14.95

Music of the Arabs
by Habib Hassan Touma
Hardcover - 238 pages New expand edition (April 1996)
Amadeus Pr; ISBN: 0931340888
book review

Nefertiti Presents...Belly Dancing "the basics"
a dedication to Nerfertit
by Sherry Jeffries (Ankestamen)
Instructional aid, or just for fun!
40 page, GBC bound, flip style, illustrated book for learning basic belly dance moves.
Detailed instructions on 20 basic moves, basic veil, floor work and zills

Oriental Belly Dance
by Kemal Ozdemir
This book is from Turkey and includes the history of belly dancing, Turkish folk dance, modern and classical dances, Oriental dancers, Oriental dance music, costumes for oriental dancing, the masters of Turkish belly dancing and a guide to watch an Oriental dance performance to name a few.  The illustrations and photographs are awesome.  The book takes a long time to receive, but it was worth it.
160 pages
published by Milet Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN 975-7054-11-9

The Rough Guide to Bellydance 
by Rough Guides
Raks Sharki: oriental dance moves
published by Rough Guides; Abridged edition (April 2002) 
ISBN: 1843530171

"Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance:  Awakening Spirituality Through Movement and  Ritual"
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is the first book to explore the hidden history of women's ways of expressing the Divine -through a study of the history of dance as an expression of spirituality.
It describes sacred circles, birth rituals, ecstatic dances, and dances of loss and grief (in groups and individually) that allow women to integrate the movements of faith, healing, and power into their daily life.
The book demonstrates how dance, the highest expression of spirituality in cultures and traditions all over the world, is being integrated into the lives of women today.
Iris investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship, and reveals how dance is once again being brought into spiritual practices.  The book includes resources for further instruction in sacred dance.
ISBN: 0-89281-605-8  Publisher: Inner Traditions, Intl.  (800) 246-8648

The Secret Language of Belly Dancing
by Maria Strova
Bellydance is incredibly popular today, but many prejudices remain about this art because it is not understood deeply enough. In the Secret Language of Bellydance, the author Maria Strova, renown dancer and teacher, reveals the inner meaning of this dance, far beyond the taboos of the body and the imaginary images of the harem - where the dance is erroneously considered to have originated. This confusion has influenced, not always in a positive way, the image of bellydance even today.
Paperback: 224 pages 
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (October 25, 2006) 
ISBN: 8875076162

Snake Hips: Belly Dancing and how I Found True Love
by Anne Thomas Soffee
Hardcover, 256pp. (Oct. 2002)
Chicago Review Press, Incorporated; ISBN: 1556524587
This hilariously uplifting memoir follows an Arab-American 
woman's merry life as she shimmies her way from getting 
dumped  by her tattoo-artist boyfriend to coming to grips 
with being single, ample, and 30.

Stories from Inside the Mirror - A Belly Dance Anthology (Paperback)
by Robert Rohloff and Miriam Cunha 
Paperback: 168 pages 
Publisher: Lulu.com; 1st Edtion edition (November 6, 2007) 
ISBN-10: 1430325208 
ISBN-13: 978-1430325208

The Tribal Bible, Exploring the Phenomenon That is American Tribal Style Bellydance
by Kajira Djoumahna
This book contains: Well over 300 pages of text by Kajira Djoumahna, with liberal quotes throughout from various issues of Tribal Talk (the FatChanceBellyDance newsletter), Caravan Trails (the Caravan Studio newsletter), and tribal belly dance enthusiasts from around the globe, collected since 1995.
More than 300 PHOTOS, one third of them in FULL COLOR, including a full color photo collage cover!

The Way of the Belly
by Neena & Veena
The Way of the Belly: 8 Essential Secrets of Beauty, Sensuality, Health, Happiness, and Outrageous Fun 
Hardcover: 256 pages 
Publisher: Hay House; Bk & DVD edition (April 15, 2006)
ISBN: 1401906133

Workshop Seminar Manual
from a gleam in the eye to successful completion: how to avoid the pitfalls of dance workshop production -by Zarifa Sa'id
For over twenty-five years, Zarifa Sa’id has produced Middle Eastern Dance workshops in cities across the U.S. This manual is based on her series of articles which originally appeared in Caravan Magazine, now expanded with even more information as well as samples of letters, agreements, and forms...over 90 pages...everything you need to produce a successful workshop both artistically and financially! Contents include: Decision Points, Vendors, Instructor, Promotion, Producing a Show, Performers, Jobs and Delegating, Agreements, Budget, Schedule and more.
$25.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling
Send to: Global Dance Arts Center
PO Box 54, Micanopy, FL 32667-0054
(352) 466-5065
or fax to (352) 466-5065 (credit card orders)

Zaida: belly dancing for older women
by Phoebe K. Carter
Paperback - 152 pages (December 2001)
Writers Club Ltd; ISBN: 0595209483

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Other Sites with Book lists and Book Reviews
The Art of Middle Eastern Dance (by Shira)
Aziza Sa'id's Mid-Eastern Belly Dance Page
Middle Eastern Dance Resource Guide


Online Book Stores

Booksamillion.com
Borders
BN.com (Barnes & Noble)

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Booklist
1. "An Account of the Manners & Customs of the Modern Egyptians" by Edward William Lane (first published 1832). Excellent descriptions & drawings by the author.
Out-of-Print

2.. "The Arab World: Personal Encounters" by Elizabeth W. Fernea.  The author revisits the places she lived.
Paperback (November 1988), Waveland Press; ISBN: 0881334049

3. "At the Drop of a Veil" by Marianne Alireza.  A young American college student, marries a well-placed young Saudi and goes to Saudi Arabia to live with him.
Hardcover (June 1993), Buccaneer Books; ISBN: 1568490135

4. "Belly Dancing" by Wendy Buonaventura. This beautifully illustrated book is a pot-pourri of myth, history, anecdote, travelers’ tales and accounts by belly dancers today.
Out of Print

5. "Belly Laughs: adventures with celebrities and other unusual characters" by Rod Long. Entertaining & quirky stories from 32 of the world’s most mysterious women. Some of the dancers who have stories within this book, Amaya, Tamalyn Dallal, Jodette, Aziza Sa’id, Amar Gamal, Mesmera and Fahtiem.
Paperback - 216 pages 1 edition (June 1, 1999), Talion Publishing; ISBN: 1890916501

6. "Beyond the Veil: a Male/Female Dynamic in Modern Muslim Society" by Fatima Mernissi.  About what the author saw in her country and society of Morocco and its crippling effects on men as well as women in their relationships & dealings with one another.
Paperback - 200 pages Revised edition (April 1987), Indiana Univ Pr; ISBN: 0253204232

7. "The Forgotten Queens of Islam" by Fatima Mernissi.  About the uproar in the Islamic world by men after the election of Benazir Bhutto to head the government of Pakistan.
Paperback - 238 pages Reprint edition (September 1997), Univ. of Minnesota Pr (Trd); ISBN: 0816624399

8. "Grandmother's Secrets: the ancient rituals and healing power of belly dancing." By Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi.  A book that combines the memoirs of an Arab grandmother with instructions on how to use Oriental dance moves for personal growth, spiritual expression, and insight.
Hardcover - 256 pages (March 1999), Interlink Pub Group; ISBN: 156656302X; 

9. "Guests of the Sheik: an ethnography of an Iraqi Village" by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea. The authors first book, about her years spent with and within women's culture in a small village in Iraq.
Paperback - 346 pages Reissue edition (June 1969), Doubleday Books; ISBN: 0385014856

10. "Harem Years: the Memoirs of an Egyptian Feminist" by Hoda el Shaarawi; translation by Margot Badran.  About the life and times of a woman of Ottoman Egypt's ruling class during the first part of the 20th century.
Hardcover (March 1987), Feminist Pr; ISBN: 0935312714; $35.00

11. "The Hidden Face of Eve" by Nawal el Sadaawi.  The author, Egypt's leading radical feminist, writes about her real life.
Out-of-Print

12. "The House of Obedience:Women in Arab Society" by Juliette Minces. 
Paperback (January 1982), Zed Books; ISBN: 0862320631

13. "Intermediate Belly Dancing" by Vicki Corona.   Provides a brief culture lesson on Saudi Arabia, describes how to do about 18 intermediate-level moves, offers a few finger cymbal rhythms, provides a structure for combining movements into a complete dance, and introduces what a dancer should know when beginning to perform for an audience.
Mass Market Paperback - 28 pages 1 Ed edition, Earth Dance International Publishing; ISBN: 1585130249

14. "Khul-Khaal: Five Egyptian Women Tell Their Stories" by Nayra Atiya.  As the title implies, these women tell their stories so vividly and in their own words.
Paperback (September 1982), Amer Univ in Cairo Pr; ISBN: 0815601816

15. "Looking For Little Egypt" by Donna Carlton. This book is very well  written.  The author did a lot of research before writting this book.
Paperback (June 1995), International Dance Discovery Books; ISBN: 0962399817

16. "Middle Eastern Muslim Women Speak" by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea & Basima Bezirgan.  An overview of the real lives of women in the Near and Middle East.
Paperback (July 1978), Univ of Texas Pr; ISBN: 0292750412

17. "Nubian Ceremonial Life" by John Kennedy.   A nice study of the importance of communal dancing in Nubian culture.
Out-of-Print

18. "Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Secrecy on the Islamic World" by Jan Goodwin.  The accounts of the terrible price women are paying for the rise in so-called "fundamentalism".
Paperback Reprint edition (August 1995), Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 0452274303; $14.95

19. "Princess: a true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia" by Jean Sasson.
Mass Market Paperback, Reissue edition (April 1997), Avon; ISBN: 0380719185

20. "The Rom: walking in the paths of the gypsies" by Roger Moreau. The author's account of his efforts to research the history of the Rroma, especially those aspects that are still not completely understood by modern-day Gypsiologists.
Paperback - 304 pages (September 1997), Key Porter Books; ISBN: 1550138685

21. "The Saudis: inside the desert kingdom" by Sandra Mackey.  The author is a journalist for the Christian Science Monitor.   To write this book she had to smuggle the notes out of the country.
Out-of-print

22. "Serpent of the Nile: women and dance in the Arab world" by Wendy Buonaventura.  Explores the history of belly dancing from ancient times through the resent.
Paperback - 208 pages Reprint edition (February 1998), Interlink Pub Group; ISBN: 1566563003

23. "Shahhat, an Egyptian" by Richard Critchfield.  About the friendship of a young Saidi man and the author.
Paperback Reprint edition (August 1984), Syracuse Univ Pr (Trade); ISBN: 0815601514

24. "A Street in Marrakesh" by Elizabeth W. Fernea.  About the author's  time in Morocco.
Paperback (November 1988), Waveland Press; ISBN: 0881334049

25. "They Told Me I Couldn't: a young woman's multicultural adventures in Colombia" by. Tamalyn Dallal.   Describes Tamalyn Dallal's travels around Colombia after getting a job belly dancing in an Arabic restaurant in Bogota.
Paperback - 170 pages 1 edition (January 1997), Talion Publishing; ISBN: 1890916196

26. "A Trade Like Any Other" by Karin van Nieuwkerk. About the real life and social position of the dancers of Cairo's Mohamed Ali Street.
Paperback - 226 pages 1st edition (September 1995), Univ of Texas Pr; ISBN: 0292787235. 

27. "Valide: a novel of the harem" by Barbara Chase-Riboud.  About the life of Aimee Dubuc de Rivery, cousin of Josephine Bonaparte, who was captured by Barbary pirates on her way back to Martinique.
Out-of-Print

28. "The Veil & the Male Elite" by Fatima Mernissi.  An historical overview of the life & times of the Prophet Mohamed.
Paperback Reprint edition (November 1992), Perseus Pr; ISBN: 0201632217

29. "Veiled Half Truths" by Judy Mabro.   An overview of how colonialist and their racist attitudes of the Near, Middle East and North Africa during the 18th & 19th century.
Paperback Reprint edition (January 1996), I B Tauris & Co Ltd; ISBN: 1860640273

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