You might know Saidi as the belly dance with the cane. But there's honestly so much more to it than a stick and a twirl! It's one of the oldest, richest and most joyful dances in the world, and the more you learn about it, the more you fall in love. So here are five things that make me adore this dance even more.
1. The men's version is a real martial art
Before it was ever a women's dance, Saidi came from tahtib, a men's stick-fighting art from Upper Egypt. And it's taken seriously! In 2016, UNESCO officially recognised tahtib as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage, the same kind of recognition given to humanity's most precious living traditions. Stick-fighting scenes even appear in ancient Egyptian art going back thousands of years, carved into tombs and temple walls. This dance has been part of Egyptian life through the time of the Pharaohs, through the Romans, right up to today's weddings and festivals. So when you pick up the cane, you're not just learning a dance move, you're holding onto something genuinely ancient and globally treasured.
2. It's a fight... with no hitting
Here's what I love about tahtib. Even though it comes from combat, the modern form is all about control, not aggression. Two players circle each other with their sticks, showing off skill, precision and timing, but actually striking your opponent isn't the goal at all. The whole beauty of it is the restraint, the power held back, the mastery of not making contact. It's strength wrapped in grace. And that's exactly what we channel in the women's dance too, we take that same strong, grounded energy, but we express it with fluidity and playfulness. Power, but always in control.
3. There are horses involved!
This one always makes people smile. In Egypt, beautiful Arabian horses are trained to move and prance in time to Saidi music at weddings and celebrations, it's a genuinely magical, much-loved part of the festivities, the horse stepping and tossing its head right along with the rhythm. And it's no coincidence that one of the signature Saidi dance steps is actually called the horse step! It's where you lift your knee up high, proud and bouncy, just like a prancing horse. So that joyful horse energy runs right through the dance itself, and it's one of the most fun moves to learn. 🐎
4. The stick tells a story
The cane we dance with, the assaya, often has a little hook at the end. That's not just for decoration, it's a nod to the shepherd's crook carried by farmers and herders in Upper Egypt. Because this dance didn't come from a stage or a studio, it grew straight out of everyday rural life, the fields, the animals, the land, the people. That's why Saidi feels so grounded and earthy, it's connected to real life and real work. So every time you twirl that cane, you're carrying a little piece of that history in your hand.
5. It's a "fight" between the sexes (in the best way)
The women's Saidi didn't just copy the men's, it teased it! Women took the strong, macho movements of tahtib and answered them with something lighter, cheekier and more playful, almost gently poking fun at all that male bravado. So there's a gorgeous flirtatious wit built right into the very heart of the dance. That's what makes Saidi so special to perform, it's strong AND playful, powerful AND feminine, serious history worn with a cheeky smile. Once you feel that balance in your body, you never want to put the cane down.
Want to feel it for yourself?
There's honestly nothing like dancing Saidi. It's grounded, joyful and powerful all at once, and picking up that cane feels amazing (and looks even better!).
I'm teaching Saidi: The Masterclass in London on 11th October, where we'll dive into the story, the music, the cane from your very first twirl, and a full choreography of your own to take home. No experience needed at all, beginners completely welcome.
Can't make it to London? Don't worry, the full Saidi course is coming to BellyFit by Leilah, so you can learn this beautiful dance online, wherever you are in the world. 🌍
Leilah x