Group Improvisation Tribal Belly Dance in a Nutshell

ITS' main characteristic is collective improvisation: the dancers learn a common vocabulary of movements, as well as subtle cues related to each movement. A leader improvises pulling from those movements and communicates with the other dancers through the set cues. All the dancers take turns being the leader through constant rotation, so that dance pieces are truly improvised collectively, creating a real communal experience. Synchronization is obtained through practice, which develops non-verbal communication skills and a working relationship among the dancers, so that a dance can be created on-the-spot, and appear choreographed to an audience. The dance is often performed for the troupe member's enjoyment of the group dynamics and the camaraderie atmosphere it creates, without the intention of performing on stage for an audience.

Movement and cues vocabularies vary from tribe to tribe, much like a regional language or slang. The two first and best known offshoots from the original ATS format, are Blacksheep Belly Dance, lead by Kajira Djoumanha, and Gypsy Caravan, lead by Paulette Rees-Denis. The shared vocabulary of movements may include individual moves or short combos.

"This dance draws also on some of the cultural conventions of the tribal peoples it emulates, and many women find great camaraderie, comfort, trust, and friendship through the dance experience, and devote their time to the social and emotional aspects of the dance. The opportunity to communicate through the body, through the music, and through the group dynamic appeals to many dancer's sense of community, which is encouraged and fostered in classes and "open dance" venues."[2]

"Watching a Tribal troupe do their thing well can be spell-binding, hypnotic, trance-inducing. Like watching a flock of birds that shift and turn at once, with no visible communication." Aziza Said[3]

[1] For more info, visit http://www.fcbd.com/about/

[2] "The Elusive Definition of Tribal Belly Dance" by Sharon Moore. http://www.tribalbellydance.org/about.html

[3] http://www.pedralta.com/tribal/ats-fusion.htm