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1 school use the "Bellydance" mascot.
Most common states: California (1)
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Refreshed regularly
Hey there Let's talk about a unique and contentious school mascot that made waves in California. The mascot in question is associated with Coachella Valley High School, and it's not just the mascot itself, but also the accompanying performances. The school's mascot, known as "the Arab," was often accompanied by a student dressed as a belly-dancing genie during events. This combo was part of the school's traditions for over 80 years but was criticized for perpetuating gross stereotypes of Arabs and Arab Americans. The belly-dancing genie, in particular, was seen as a form of orientalist stereotyping, which is why it was eventually retired along with the controversial "Arab" mascot. Despite this, the school decided to keep the "Arabs" nickname but agreed to redesign their logo to avoid further controversy. So, while the belly-dancing genie is no longer part of the school's events, it remains a fascinating, albeit problematic, piece of school mascot history.
Hear how the Bellydance fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 1 programs flying the Bellydance banner across California. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Harper Singh
California Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like California. With 1 schools per million residents, the Bellydance is part of daily conversations here.”
Avery Hughes
California Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Bellydance delivers the perfect concept energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Avery Brooks
Regional Pep Collective
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
1 school in our database use the Bellydance mascot across 1 state.
The Bellydance shows up most in California (1). Ca also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Bellydance as a Concept mascot. Programs note that it is representing an inanimate object.
Other programs adopt the Bellydance most often (1 schools).