Sashi of Ascend Tribal - Pierced Wings Performance - Tribal Fest 2006

In 2006, the Kajira and Chuck, producers of the original Tribal Fest located in Sebastopol, California, invited me to present my controversial "pierced wings" performance art piece, after interest and uproar overwhelmed our dance community in relation to this piece as showcased in it's original form. The following is what was read prior to my show to illustrate the nature of my piece and the reverence with which I combined these two worlds.

"In this next performance, Sashi of Ascend Tribal Dance combines movements and stylings from modern day Tribal Bellydance with aspects inspired by the Tribal Hindu Thaipusam Festivals of Malaysia in which kavadi frames, cheek and tongue spears are worn in trance-like states to honor Lord Muruga while seeking penance for themselves and their community.

This piece is being performed with great respect and understanding of the tribal cultures which inspire our Tribal Bellydance communities and is in no way meant to shock or offend. Rather, it is meant to present further understanding of the sacred tribal aspects from which our dances derive.

This performance ritual involves actual pierced wings. If this is something that you would not care to see, you are welcome to go shopping or enjoy the outdoor stage show at this time. Namaste."

Vintage footage care of Miss FiFi Noir

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Sashi
• Ascend
• Tribal
• Fest
• Dance
• belly
• dance
• CoRE
• gothic
• piercings
• wings

[ansiropa1986]

La danza es conexión profunda y respetuosa con el cuerpo, es auto descubrimiento, respeto, belleza. Esto es sádico, una completa y desagradable extravagancia que no pasa de ser eso.

[rkelseysss]

this is sadistic!

[kajira4master]

Wickedly kewl!!!

[stardarkstar]

very amazing!

[silverbatwing]

Very mesmerizing! I also like the fact that you had a protective measure of the support collar.

[BleedTheWineUnholy]

That's dedication right there

[wwerocks753]

This is so amazing.

I love the wings.

You are great.

:D

[PsychoticGeek23]

The piercings look painful, but the fact that you did it and dance with them, just makes you even more awesome. Not sure why it was controversial though, lol. =)

I do really admire you and your dancing, it is fantastic! You're beautiful and your dancing never ceases to amaze me.

And you have such a pretty tummy!!! :D

[RaqsDiva65]

I have lived in Singapore and have seen the Thipusam ritual in person, it is an amazing thing to witness, and your performance is beautiful. I'm amazed at how you can dance with those piercings in place, butno less amazing is what the men who undergo Thipusam endure. They fast for a month before the ritual, and then have head-dresses which are extremely heavy and involve sometimes hundreds of piercings. Thanks for sharing this video.

[nefabit]

Absolutely love this. I read your article on the Gilded Serpent and I'm sorry that you received such negative feedback. I don't understand how nose and belly piercings are ok and this is not . . . people don't make sense. This is art and it is heavenly and you were fantastic. I applaud you and I hope that you will continue to follow your artistic vision.