Since its introduction to the U.S. and Europe at the turn of the 20th century, belly dance has become a global phenomenon that has gained a large following of practitioners internationally, as well as pervasive media exposure. With the spread of this dance form, different countries and regions have developed their own styles based on their unique histories of belly dance. In the U.S., its uses have ranged from exercise to erotic performance to a platform for explicitly and implicitly addressing women’s issues and sexuality. American and European dancers frequently view Egypt as a central “hot spot” and ancient birthplace of belly dance. Consequently, the popularity of belly dance has created a thriving Egyptian tourist industry. Despite constant travel and keen interest in this region, there remains confusion among many U.S. practitioners about current roles of belly dance in Egyptian culture. These practitioners often naively assume that American and Egyptian belly dance have similar historical significance and political roles. For example, many U.S. feminists emphasize heightened sexuality as a means of female empowerment. In my research, I analyze interviews of individuals who have experienced belly dance in both the U.S. and Egypt in order to identify points of difference in attitudes towards belly dance in these two cultures. I also examine historical changes in class, women’s social roles, attitudes towards Europe, and the rise and overlapping of the Egyptian Nationalist and Feminist movements to look at how these factors influence the ways belly dance is used socially and politically in Egypt. I will show that recognizing the impact of these historical factors is essential for American belly dance practitioners who wish to engage with Egyptian communities and instructors who teach this dance form and its history in the U.S.