region belong to ethnic minorities such as the Nawar (or Nawara), Halab and Bahlawen. Particularly well known are the Banat Maazin family, Nawar people who settled in Luxor and were filmed in the 70s and 80s. Many consider the Maazin family to be the only practicing family left of the original line of Ghawazi dancers. Influence on Western belly-dance The style of dance and costuming of the Ghawazi has been especially influential in crafting the look of American Tribal Style Belly Dance. The Gypsy Ghawazi dress consists of an Ottoman coat with slits, known as a Yelek or entari. The abdomen is covered by these coats. Turkish harem pants are worn under these coats. The coats are typically ankle-length, though some modern Ghawazi troupes wear a shorter version over a full, knee-length skirt. Ghawazi dancers often adorn their heads with elaborate headresses, with dancers often accompanying themselves by playing zils, or small cymbals that are used by dancers in many forms of Middle Eastern dance. The Egyptian Ghawazi costumes worn by rural and upper Egyptians are more richly colored. In Rural Egypt, the traditional female dancing dress is floral and fluffy; the dancers typically choose different colors, each dancer usually wearing a different color from the one next to her. In the Upper Egyptian style, the dancers wear the popular Saidi Telli dress, a black and glittery traditional Egyptian dress. The main dancers are accompanied by Saidi music, mainly the Egyptian flute and traditional Saidi songs narrating stories about the beauty of Qena, Assuit, Minya and their traditions. References Further reading Karin van Nieuwkerk, “Changing Images and Shifting Identities: Female Performers in Egypt” pp 136–143 in Moving History/Dancing Cultures: A Dance History Reader'' (2001), Dils, Ann and Ann Cooper Albright (eds) Wesleyan University Press, Durham, North Carolina, Egyptian folklore Upper Egypt Egyptian dances Egyptian dancers Egyptian clothing Belly dance Egyptian culture North African culture Middle Eastern culture