Updated 10/15/2025
When I talk with students about language, I always bring this up: words carry history. Many belly-dance circles use the term “gypsy style” or “gypsy fusion” loosely. Maybe they mean free-spirited, bohemian, layered skirt, coin belts. It can feel fun. But there’s more beneath that feel. The word “Gypsy” has been used for the Romani people (or Roma) and related ethnic groups — and many in those groups say the term is offensive or hurtful. East European Folklife Center+2Oregon State Blogs+2
The term “Gypsy” originally came from a European belief that Roma people came from Egypt. The Traveller Movement+1 Over centuries, the word gathered negative stereotypes: wandering, tricking, theft, outsider status. National WWII Museum When we use “gypsy” in dance styles and costuming, we may unintentionally invoke those stereotypes. That doesn’t mean we’re doing something bad on purpose — but it means being aware.
In class once a student said, “I just like the word ‘gypsy skirt’ because it means freedom to me.” I asked her to pause and think: freedom for whom? What story does that skirt tell? Are we celebrating a culture or simply borrowing a label that has heavy baggage? The more I teach, the more I believe dance is richer when we choose words with respect.
Many people (especially in Western Europe and the U.S.) use the term “Gypsy” to refer to someone who:
- Lives a nomadic or free-spirited lifestyle,
- Travels a lot, often in caravans,
- Works in trades like fortune-telling, music, or crafts.
- Performs topless belly dancing rather than traditional styles
But this image is mostly a stereotype — romanticized or exoticized — and doesn’t reflect the reality or diversity of the people the term has historically referred to.
How to choose language and style thoughtfully
Here are some practical ideas I share when we talk about style labels, costumes, and how we present ourselves.
1. Ask: what do I really mean by “gypsy style”?
If you’re using “gypsy” to mean layered skirts, coin belts, fusion of folk styles, try plugging in a different phrase: “layered skirt fusion”, “boho folk lace”, “nomadic fusion”. See how it feels. It may feel longer, but it also has less weight.
2. Know your style roots.
If you’re pulling in folk dances (Romani, Balkan, North-African, or others), take a moment to research origin, music, steps, costumes. In one rehearsal we took a costume that was labelled “gypsy fusion” and broke it down: the skirt came from Romani motif, the top from 1960s western pop, the jewelry from Indian ghagra look. We ended up re-naming it “folklore fusion with Romani inspired skirt” — the dancer said it felt more honest and less like a label thrown on.
3. Use names respectfully.
“Roma”, “Romani”, “Sinti”, “Kale” are names used by various groups of the Romani people. Wikipedia+1 If you refer to those styles or inspirations, use the correct term, and when unsure, say “inspired by Romani tradition” or “Romani-inspired movement” rather than “gypsy style”.
4. Costume and aesthetic with awareness.
When we borrow motifs — coins, layered skirts, head scarves — ask: am I using these because they connect to a living culture, or am I using them because they look “exotic”? I had a student who loved a skirt with heavy pleats and coin fringe. We changed the description from “gypsy skirt” to “layered folkloric coin skirt”. She said telling that small shift out loud changed how she felt wearing it — more grounded, less theatrical.
5. Practice with intention.
In rehearsal I sometimes say: “Move as though your arms are telling a story you’ve lived, not just a picture you want the audience to see.” And I add: “The story you’re telling with your costume and words should match the respect you hold in your body.” When students do that, the dance looks more lived-in, more real.
Letting our dancing speak with integrity
When you next label a routine, pick a costume, talk about “gypsy style” in class, take a beat. Choose your words. Let your movement honour heritage, not borrow it blindly. When your arms extend, when your skirt sways, when the drum hits — know what story you’re telling, and make sure the words you use support that story with respect.