‘In our blood’: Egyptian women reclaim belly dance from stigma

As belly dancing gains popularity internationally, young Egyptian performers are working to restore its reputation at home, pushing back against decades of stigma to reclaim the dance as part of their artistic heritage.

Once iconic figures of Egypt’s cinematic golden age, belly dancers have watched their prestige wane, their art increasingly confined to nightclubs and wedding halls.

“No woman can be a belly dancer today and feel she’s truly respected,” said Safy Akef, an instructor and…