Agan Traders Women's 2025 Spring Belly Dance Hip Scarf with Gold & Silver Coins - Zumba, Gypsy & Tribal Dance Accessory for Performances & Costume Parties

Hip scarves were traditionally worn by belly dancers. Belly dancing is a form of ancient dance from throughout the Middle East. During the Ottoman Empire, it spread into the rest of the Middle East through caravans of traveling Gypsies. The most common theory of coin belts came from Turkey. During the Ottoman Empire, Gypsies, Bedouins, and other street entertainers would have coins thrown at their feet by passers by during the performance. With no safe place to deposit the money, the entertainers would have special pockets sewn into their clothing for the coins. At the end of the day, the coins were then permanently sewn into the hip scarf garments to prevent theft.