What???

Having for years fought off the usual comments about lap-dancing, strippers and snakes that tend to go with the admission that I do Arabic Dance, I thought I had my story straight. However, since I started a class on American Tribal Style Bellydance I have a whole new set of misinterpretations to contend with.

Usually folk can't get beyond the word American, and so the comments run along the lines of 'oh, you mean totem poles and such', 'your rain dancing's working then', etc. Equally difficult to deal with are the genuine dance enthusiasts who think I have changed tack entirely and am now teaching about the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Americas - although quite why anyone would think this includes bellydance is still beyond me!

So what is Tribal Style?

Basically it is a fusion style combining elements of Arabic, African, Flamenco, Indian, Turkish, and other dance styles into a homogeneous whole. Unlike many dance styles it is relatively easy to pinpoint the origins of the style in the USA, particularly on the West Coast where Jamila Salimpour created the style in the 1960s. The style has progressed and evolved since then. It is very influential in the USA and is gradually extending its popularity to the rest of the world.

Tribal is a real alternative to the glitzy, show-biz style of the typical cabaret dancer - but without being limited to any particular folk style. Having 'borrowed' elements from a range of cultures it is not pretending to be authentically anything, but it has its own integrity. At its best Tribal Bellydance allows dancers to express themselves individually and as a group. The costumes, with elements borrowed from any number of sources, tend towards rich colours and wonderful accessories that allow us to look stunning without worrying about exposing vast areas of bare skin.

Typical 'Tribal' costumes

But the real difference in Tribal is very difficult to pin down. From the point of view of dance technique Tribal is a challenge since control and precision are very important. I have found that it has increased my flexibility and my ability to dance slowly (which is far more tricky than the fast stuff). But the main difference is that you are trying to work as a cohesive team rather than as an individual much of the time. Getting this right is very tricky, but the good feeling you get when things are going right is well worth the effort.

The music

Since Tribal is a fusion style there is a wide range of music that you could use. However one of the joys for me in starting this style is the discovery of some really interesting music created especially for Tribal. Most of the major US Tribal groups seem to have linked up with dedicated musicians who create their own music with a blend of steady (but often unconventional rhythm) and a sound that is somewhere between folk and modern. I would particularly recommend the group Solice which seems to go from strength to strength.

The costume

Just as there are many different groups practising Tribal Bellydance there are many varied styles of costume in use. The most typical styles are seen in groups such as Gypsy Caravan and Fat Chance Bellydance. Their costumes consist of layers of full, tiered skirts worn over voluminous pantaloons with cholis (short and sometimes backless Indian blouses). From the USA websites and traders it is clear that many of these costumes are constructed of fabulous and genuine materials imported from various parts of the Third World at great cost.

Fortunately it's not necessary to go to such lengths to achieve a reasonable copy of the style. In the UK we have many shops serving the Asian community where you can buy wonderful fabrics or whole outfits - though you should beware of some of the more decorated costumes as they often leak dye or cannot be cleaned - not very practical for dance wear! My group have solved this problem by agreeing to a simple costume using plain panne velvet for skirts and tops and using masses of jewellery and belts to add decoration.

And of course the head-gear! Many women find the prospect of wearing an elaborate turban daunting - time and again I hear the cry 'it won't suit me, I never even wear a hat!', but so far most of the fears have proved unfounded. Wearing a turban or some other sort of enclosing head-dress feels strange to most of us and it does completely alter your appearance. With a bit of care most women I have worked with have been able to find a look that they can live with - if not love. What the turban does do is add inches to your height and improves stage presence.

Some groups also go in for exotic make up and tattoos, it's all a matter of choice. One of the joys of Tribal is that, as it is itself a fusion style, there really is not an 'authentic' look, just a loosely-defined framework, so you have more freedom to experiment.