Welcome!

Aziza Bellydance is a Palmerston North based dance group focused on performing and exploring fusion/modern oriental and traditional Middle-Eastern dance style. Established in 2007, it is committed to creating a fun-filled and empowering dance environment that will connect you with people from all walks of life. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to Aziza Bellydance!
Khaleeji

Khaleeji (“gulf”) is a musical genre with roots tracing back over a thousand years to the Persian Gulf region. Khaleeji dance is characterised by hair swinging and hand gestures that mimic sea creatures.

Dance vibe → Gestural, joyful, swaying
Photography by: Yasmina of Cairo
Fellahi

Fellahi (“peasant/farmer”) is a dance form that originated in the Nile delta and was later styled for the stage by the great Egyptian choreographer, Mahmoud Reda (1930 – 2020).

Dance vibe → Sweet, sprightly, colourful
Photo by: Ler La Madrid Photography
Baladi

Baladi (“of the country”) is a folk dance with origins in the early twentieth century. When rural villagers migrated to Egyptian cities, they began dancing in small spaces and raqs al baladi was born.

Dance vibe → Earthy, grounded, playful
Photography by: Ler La Madrid Photography
Oriental

Oriental (classical raqs sharki) grew in popularity during the golden years of the Egyptian film industry in the 1950s. Rooted in Egyptian social and folkloric dances, it has been influenced by western dance genres such as vaudeville, ballet, and ballroom.

Dance vibe → Sensuous, graceful, expressive
Photography by: Ler La Madrid Photography
Mahraghanat

Mahraghanat (“festivals/carnivals”) is a musical style that combines shaabi, electronic dance music and hip-hop. Often called “electro-shaabi”, it came into being in around 2004.

Dance vibe → Loud, confrontational, full of attitude
Photography by: Ler La Madrid Photography
Iraqi gypsy dance

Iraqi gypsy dance (raqs el kawliya) is a dance style whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia. It has roots in Ishtar and Innana worshipping rituals, and a strong connection to the earth.

Dance vibe → Powerful, sacred, trance-like
Photography by: Ler La Madrid Photography
Raqs al Shamadan

Raqs al Shamadan (“the dance of the candelabra”) originated in late nineteenth-century Egypt and is traditionally performed during the wedding procession or “zeffah”.

Dance vibe → Luminous, dignified, gliding
Photography by: Silhouette Photography
Muwashah

Muwashah (“girdled”) is an Arab poetic form and music genre that originated in eleventh-century Islamic Spain. Muwashah-style dance was crafted for the stage by the Egyptian choreographer Mahmoud Reda (1930-2020).

Dance vibe → Fluid, elegant, balletic
Photography by: Ler La Madrid Photography
Isis Wings

Isis Wings symbolise Isis, the Egyptian goddess of love and fertility. Dances with this prop are often fusion choreographies.

Dance vibe → Magnificent, theatrical, Pharaonic
Photography by: Yasmina of Cairo
Join Us!

Classes

13 October Tuesday 2026

Tuesday 21st April, 2026 from 7-8pm.

Meet the teacher, try basic bellydance moves, learn a pattern and pick up term information. Suitable for absolute beginners or anyone who wishes to try a shimmy or 2. :)

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20 October Tuesday 2026

From Tuesday 20th October to Tuesday 15th December, 6 - 7pm.

Refine and build on your bellydance fundamental movements by focusing on fluidity and movement transitions progressing to a group choreography. We will also start exploring popular rhythms.

This class is suitable for students who already have knowledge and experience on fundamental techniques and wish to develop richer bellydance movements and vocabulary.

Register

20 October Tuesday 2026

From Tuesday 20th October to Tuesday 15th December, 7 - 8pm.

Start your entry level bellydance training with Simmi. This class will cover proper bellydance posture, base movements and basic foot patterns without the pressure of learning a choreography.

Crafted for beginners, we recommend this class to anyone before you progress (or if you wish to progress) to Techniques and Choreography I.

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23 October Friday 2026

From Friday 23rd October to Friday 18th December, 6 - 7:30pm.

Enjoy a faster pace class focusing on layered techniques, formation based choreographies and mood expressions while exploring the culture, music and traditions behind bellydance.

This class is crafted for students who have a well developed bellydance techniques and/or have a few years of bellydance experience under their belt.

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