Dances of the Khalegi Region
Khalegi is a dance of the Arab countries on the Persian Gulf. While dancing, the women swing their voluminous garments in time with the music. The richly embroidered caftans, called Thob Nawal, are made today in India especially for the Gulf states. The style of the dance is fine and graceful. The most eye-catching characteristic is the rhythmical tossing of the dancer's long hair. It is speculated that the origin of these movements lies in ancient trance dances found throughout the Middle East, as for instance the most well know example of Egyptian Zar.