Founded in 1995, Baniswif Folkloric Troupe is a dancing company directly under the Cultural Ministry of Egypt. With 45 dancers, musicians and singers, the troupe is well known for its distinctive interpretation of folk dance traditions of south Egypt. It won many prizes at national arts festivals of Egypt and took part in international festivals held in a number of other countries.

Dance traditions of ancient Egypt has been preserved and continued over the sweep of history. In its modern development, Raks Sharki, literally meaning “dance of the Orient” and more widely known as “belly dance”, has evolved as the most famous genre of Egyptian dance. This unique dance form, usually performed by women, highlights movements of the pelvis along with the belly and the arms. It is generally presented in set formats, but slight differences arise when danced by people from different regions. For example, dancers in Nubia and the Sinai Peninsula do not move their pelvis and dance at faster tempos. Raks Sharki is primarily accompanied by tambourine along with flute, oboe and harp.

Male dance of modern Egypt is performed to show man’s masculinity and vigor. Dancers usually stand in a row, with one’s arms rested on another’s shoulders, and change steps and stamp their feet along with music beats.