What is Tribal Style Bellydance

[ARavenDances]

"World Dancer" I like that. I'm gonna use that. I'm kinda the same way. I fuse everything, respectfully. :)

[youareaWALRUS]

This was very enlightning, it really showed me the endless possibilites of belly dance. thankyou!

[Scarletslounge1]

Nice to see a video on youtube that represents individual opinions and interpretations of what Tribal Belly Dance means.

Scarlet's Lounge

[TheARTwalk]

You all inspire me!!!!!!!!!

[zainadlr]

I love how "Belly Dance" has branched out in so many different and varying directions. It is so versatile!

[WorldisArt]

awesome, loved the quote at the end there!!!!! ^2 =P I guess I'm like Amy Sigil in the sense that I want to do EVERY FREAKING ETHNIC DANCE ON THE PLANET!!! (if only I had the time and money)

[amberbarber850]

oh god i love you :) hehe tribal is my life

[Mr111989]

@mancapavli This video is really well-made.  Between this and some of the other documentaries about bellydance, it is one of the many films on this subject that could be shown in places like the Sundance film festival. Thanks for sharing this!

[Akashayasa]

To Educate You On What Type Of Bellydancing I <3 . <3 \/V--V\/ <3

sorry it skips

[Akashayasa]

To Educate You On What Type Of Bellydancing I <3 . <3 \/V--V\/ <3

[ophelianymph]

Although this is a great video. I find it alittle confusing. When i first started watching tribal style belly dance, mainly the tribal fusion dancers. Their style reminded me very much of the middle east/egyptian belly dance of the tribes/nomadic gypsy groups in those areas. also the costumes are very similar. I find it strange how none of them mention this, i think one of them may mention gypsies. Maybe they are channelling without even realising hehe

Im not saying it should be defined!

[molarmama5]

Why is the sound quality so poor; fade in and out? Please cut out the background sound track music as its hard to hear the interviewee.

Ms. Brice,"......ear hairs?"

[statikvision21]

do men do belly dance?

[amystreasures]

@statikvision21 yes, look up (real) belly dancing (as in middle eastern belly dancing and you'll see men belly dancing.

[kazekamiteras]

@statikvision21 Actually yeah! They're certainly less populous than females, but they're still there. I should say 'we', given that I'm also male and study bellydance. Look up Jamil or Tito if you're so inclined.

[Cybelian83]

@statikvision21 look up Turkish Belly Dance:) cheers!

[MissArielMarie]

@statikvision21

Yes =)

[arcaneteresa]

I love that you finished the vid with the Isadora Duncan quote, one of my absolute favorites. This is very well done, thank you!

[velvetsnape]

Really enjoyed this. I absolutely love Tribal. Tribal can't really be defined as there are so many tribes with their own style of dance. Probably why it's referred to as 'Tribal Fusion'. I love the sense of harmony in Tribal Fusion.

[bhijjas]

Thanks for this, a very interesting video that I am going to share with my world dance cultures class to contribute to our discussion of the invention of tradition.

[RavenMadison017]

Ariellah is so amazing she is my favorite bellydancer! She puts so much emotion into her dances that leaves everyone mesmerized.

[81mandajayne]

I loved the idea of Belly Dancing but was put off by the idea of greasy men in a smoky environment leering at a scantily clad woman. I tried tribal and the biggest difference for me was the feeling of community. It was women dancing for themselves and the love of dancing not for some greasy man.

[JaciSheefra]

@81mandajayne I don't dance tribal but I find the same thing. We dance for ourselves. I'm thinking the reason we dance and the feeling of it in the community depends on which dance community you choose.

[evenstar227]

Great vid. I had issues with the audio, dunno if it's on my end or yours. :/

[GaaranoJo]

@loonylvr3 You're right to know that this isn't an African dance, it's a hybrid amalgam of what people have assumed a 'tribal' form would look like and 'tribal' brings a whole host of images that especially Americans are proned to imagining generally (and mostly incorrectly). While it's not from decades past it's attempt at a down to earth, unorganized dance form (there are fundamentals but for the most part a person is allowed to interpret them freely).

[GaaranoJo]

@GaaranoJo I hadn't heard of BOCA but you do bring up an interesting point that is likely the major reason for there not being a lot of black Americans in the belly dance movement. It's a dance form that many from the indie alternative and similar subcultures are geared towards. I probably am exposed to belly dance and events where belly dancers are dancing more than other black people so I can assess it from a different standpoint- a more internal one.

[GaaranoJo]

@GaaranoJo So given what you've said, it isn't surprising that there's not more black American dancers - there's probably little exposure and less desire to associate with the subcultures prone to engage in it. There's another bag of worms that may be associated here tangentially but I think the main point is what I said in the first sentence of this post. Agree?

[GaaranoJo]

@loonylvr3 I find it extremely positive and versatile for one and Dance and music has always had a special place in african american culture. This paired with it's ability to pull from African traditions and music foundations seems like it'd be great for self expression and nodding to Africa, which also still seems to be important to the culture. Moreover, it doesn't require much in the way of resources to learn, only one person that knows. It's so freaking versatile.

[OmgItsChauncey]

I <3 Rachel

[lessoeurstribales]

Le Grandi della Tribal belludance ci spiagano di cosa si tratta!

[hipswithattitude]

Good summary of the main players on the style - broadening it out from 'strict' ATS- thanks!

[GRISSELLASHTRAY]

zoe jakes!!

[AvasaTribal]

I really enjoyed this. What we need is to get some African American ATS stars on the map. Guess I have some work to do. Been working the East Coast for some time, time to shine across the world. Wish me luck.

[ravenselene]

@AvasaTribal Cool. The only black ATS dancer I know of is Valizan from Shades of Araby

[GaaranoJo]

@AvasaTribal My dream is to be ATS star. I'm surprised more african americans aren't interested in this style...

[curlychronicles]

@AvasaTribal - yeah, I got some work to do too..I'd love to see more women practicing tribal belly dance especially women of color :)

[molarmama5]

@AvasaTribal

I have seen some excellent women of colour dance in all styles of belly dance, including Latinas, and asians. Art is art and TRUE ART is colour blind.

[LibertineDeSade]

@AvasaTribal I know this is an old comment but I just wanted to say that I couldn't agree with you more. And I'm glad someone brought it up.

[SaiyanMT]

@AvasaTribal

I'm just a student but from what I see there's a rising number of women of color in Tribal, ATS, and Tribal Fusion. Just you wait...Some one's gonna bust through and make it! Good luck girl :)

[myteetharebleeding]

@AvasaTribal

i would say that so long as your doing it because you love it then rock on, but dont do it just to be "the black bellydancer" because i think that will show through in your performance. besides there are all different colors of dancers, so dont expect any specific type of reaction when you go out and dance. just, yeah.

[MsPrince4life]

@AvasaTribal

I understand what you mean. There are black tribal fusion belly dancers, but they are not really publicized, for lack of better words. It would be very refreshing to see black ATS dancers. No disrespect to other ethnicties, but African American ATS dancers need to be recognized more. Thank you for sharing that insight : )

[keishpeish]

@AvasaTribal i wish i learned about this much sooner lol but im so excited im taking my first lesson this saturday.... yeah for the African American community getting invloved lol

[crsard]

Only a few actually knows what are they doing.

Very dissapointing.

[arisu23c]

Thank you!

[spiffymo]

wow this great!!!!

[NicoleYB18]

these women are all so incredible and legendary, this was a great vid and i thought a treat to see Rachel at the end. thanks =)

[kaiyasumeragi]

I love Rachel and Kami

[spershall]

I liked Heather Stants' answer best! Also, Amy Sigil FTW.

[enisadancer]

Very informative video. Thanks for posting. However, I respectfully disagree with Kajira about Tribal being the only dance in the world with lead and follow improvisation in unison. Salsa Rueda works exactly the same way, with visual contact and hand cues and it's totally improvised (at least when it's done as a social dance). In fact many other social and folk dances are group improvisation and many move in unison. But Rueda is the closest to the method Kajira describes for Tribal.

[RaqsSaideh]

Agreed-- plus the cabaret/traditional dancers were doing the same thing long before ATS was founded :p

(granted, I love both and ATS became much more popular/common)

[ShadyDragonfly]

"layman or mundane"  not "lame"

[danzajohanna]

Thank you... is a good thing to listen to people who loves their dance!

[LEmusic145]

Does anyone know that name of the song played before and during Ariellahs interview? The one with the drums it sounds like. @ 3:28

[LEmusic145]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[bdshams]

wow...I didn't know tribal style varies in so many ways. I wish I could see every one of them dance! This video is so informative. Thanks for sharing!

[BollywoodIreland]

now even more confusing but it doesnt matter its beautifull anyway

[AlesaDreams]

wow thanks for this video it makes you think about it , and the awesome quote at the end.

[BeckyAlfie]

That was really great, thanks!

Loved the quote at the end aswell. :)

[Dearprudence1606]

Its really nice to hear from the dancers define their style oppose to what the audience thinks their style is....

btw what music did you use for the video.

[tessalina]

Thanks for this vid! I love seeing great interviews from great dancers. The video (esp. audio) editing needs to be fixed. The audio drops every time there is a cross-fade and it is HIGHLY annoying. Try just cross-fading just the video and keep the audio going so you avoid that problem. ^_^

[murphyclm]

This is great! Have recently been watching Elizabeth Strong and find her just charming, guess I'm frankly not a fan of all the tattoos or the darker side; Liz has that very nice smile and seems warmer to me, just my 2 cents. I am still a big Rachel Brice fan. Thanks for this, great job, love to hear them speak of their art forms.

[Niikuty]

well done....great interviews with great dancers..

the last thing u say is what says every thing...

and...thanks for that work!!! helps a lot to explain!!

[Magsblackorchid]

Very well done movie, interesting all the different interfaces of bellydance

[Magdaleyne777]

this helps it all makes sense. Thanks

[CarmenMarieFrancis]

beautifully done! I enjoyed it very much and it truly shows how diverse this one dance can be.

[oleander89]

that was really interresting! love the qoute in the end aswell=)

[NightsMuse]

What a great set of interviews! There you have such a diffuse group with a similar background but ever expanding boundaries.

Very well done!

[twisteddollparts]

absolutly loved this !!!!!

[jazzypony]

I find it interesting how Ariellah says 'dark fusion' and not gothic, which is how most people (that I've seen) would describe her style.

[marqujud]

i think there is a difference between dark and gothic, gothic is all a realm of its own with its own symbols and culture, im sure there is a strong inspiration from gothic (not to mention that gothic is also generic label and has so many variance in that subculture) but i think if she used gothic it wouldn't encompass all she offers. there are my 2 cents hahaha

[Silviamici]

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Thank you

:)

[todabrilla]

Great video!

Kajira's not quite right, though-- ballroom dancing works the same way, but the cues are lead and followed through touch instead of visually.

[indigobuburat]

It's a breath of fresh air to hear such detailed and opinionated descriptions about such a misunderstood dance. With such a new-to-the-western-world style, it's great to see it evolving so rapidly, so I'm quite interested to see where things are in 10 more years, 20 even.

Keep posting more footage and documentaries like this. It's fantastic! Excellent work!

[MizeryLovesCompany77]

i love how you put rachel last, cuz shes the shit!!

[gypsytribal]

why does this comment have 5 thumbs down? Rachel rules, that's what this person is saying. I don't get what's wrong with that.........

[bombina]

great film, really interesting to hear their interpretations

[RedEarthGhawazee]

Fantastic!

[RaqsSaideh]

This was quite interesting....

Rachel Brice's was actually my favorite answer, because it's so true. I think I speak for many when I saw that I have no idea what I'm doing sometimes, when I'm doing fusion. It's whatever comes naturally out of my body from all of the styles that I've been trained in and everything that I haven't been trained in. It's interesting.

A few of the others I wish I could speak with myself to get more in depth answers... maybe someday.

[purplecleo]

I liked what Paulette Rees-Dennis said a lot. Yay her!

[jennyebrooke]

I think Amy Sigil had the best answer... But I love Rachel Brice... I relate to her more... "I don't know but it's fun"

=]

[DahliaDance]

Awesome.  Love it.

[GypsyRed]

This video is awesome and I putting up EVERYWHERE I CAN!! Thanks for this excellent work of art and sharing it with us all. ^_^

[ashleyllopez]

Yay Manca!!!!  You are the awesomest. I'm glad I can refer back to this any time now!

[VarlaV]

This is great!

Thank you for posting!!!

[UStorms13]

Ahhh!! I love visual anthropology. :) How modern is that? We take it all apart, examine it, then put it back together, but it never fits back into its original box. Instead we end up with a post-modern polyphonic fusion. Hi Manca. I remember meeting you at Hot Pot. :)

[wowjenn520]

Amazing!

[AlexBellydance]

This was great! :) I do like the way Rachel doesnt really have an idea of what style she's doing, I don't think it can really be put into a box.

Thanks for this!

[Georgeesus]

"i don´t know what it is but is fun".... Rachel Brice is the Best.

[diana351]

very cool and I loved how it did not have all the weird editing and cuts

[naiadance]

that was awesome Manca, thank you!!!

[oliviakiss]

I think the most compelling part of this video is hearing how these artists define themselves and

approach to dance.

Thanks for Posting!

[StacyBS]

Very nicely done! 

I'd love to see a short clip of each dancer demonstrating her dance (though that wouldn't fit in a 10-minute YouTube clip!)...

[Aubredance]

Lovely collage of thoughts. And a great source for more dialog. Thank you for sharing.

[insanepsycho51]

It was so interesting to hear all these wonderful women discuss what they are portraying to the audience. Thank you for gathering this up and making a mini-doc!

[BlackSheepKajira]

This is Kajira Djoumahna here I co-produce Tribal Fest, where much of this footage was shot. I am the second dancer interviewed,& I just wanted to thank Manca SO MUCH for this great overview of the many styles found under the name Tribal Style. I appreciate Manca's commitment to getting out the word to so many people around the world about these new styles, that ll began after the early 1990s, as the founder (Carolena, 1st interviewee). stated. ALL THIS in less than 20 years! Whoo-hoo!

Enjoy!

KD

[bellyfringe]

very cool!! well done!

[TribalSooz]

this was profoundly rad!!!! great job Manca!

[durrahbellydance]

This is absolutely fascinating, thanks for making this Manca!

[missysb]

oooohhhh cool!

[LoriBelly]

Thank you Manca! This is GREAT!

[femmasapiens]

"as long as i can get enough sleep". :D

[AkilahAmazight]

Very nice. I enjoyed hearing from the artists themselves.