What is the status of belly dancing in Saudi Arabia?

Belly dancing, despite being a centuries-old art form, is still considered taboo in conservative Saudi society, with many viewing it as "something sexy" that families and husbands would not accept.

How are Saudi women practicing belly dancing in Riyadh?

Saudi women are secretly gathering in a private fitness studio to practice belly dancing, concealing their identities and faces to avoid backlash from their families and communities.

What is the significance of the Saudi women's belly dancing classes?

The belly dancing classes are seen as a form of empowerment and self-expression for the Saudi women, providing them with a sense of community and strength, despite the cultural stigma surrounding the activity.

Home / Lifestyle / Saudi Women Defy Stigma, Embrace Belly Dancing in Secret Sessions

Saudi Women Defy Stigma, Embrace Belly Dancing in Secret Sessions

10 Nov

•

Summary

Dozens of Saudi women practice belly dancing in private fitness studio
Participants hide identities and faces to avoid backlash from families
Belly dancing seen as "something sexy" and taboo in conservative Saudi society

As of November 10th, 2025, a fitness studio in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has become the unlikely setting for a clandestine gathering of women embracing the ancient art of belly dancing. Dozens of enthusiastic participants sway to Arabic music, shimmying barefoot and shaking their hips in a festive, "women-only party" atmosphere.

However, the women's identities and faces remain strictly guarded. Citing the deep-seated conservatism that still prevails in Saudi society, the participants refuse to reveal their real names or be filmed, fearful of how their families and friends would react. Belly dancing, despite its centuries-old roots, is widely seen as "something sexy" that no family or husband would accept.

The instructors, who go by aliases like "Oni" and "Roro", do not even describe themselves as dancers, but rather as "coaches" who have "transformed dancing into a sport." They emphasize the fitness benefits and stress-relieving qualities of the activity, rather than its artistic or cultural significance.