What is Tribal Fusion bellydance?

To define Tribal Fusion bellydance, we must first provide a brief history on Tribal Style bellydance. Tribal Style was started about 20 years ago on the West Coast of the United States. It is a specific style of belly dance distinct in its use of improvisational techniques, elaborate costuming, and troupe performance led by a leading dancer. The elaborate costume consists of many layers of fabric, decorated turbans, and heavy, ethnic jewelry. Tribal Style performance consists of a chorus or circle of dancers providing a backdrop for solos, duets, and trios. Performances are seldom choreographed but rather cued from a vocabulary of movement by a designated lead dancer. This encourages a spirit of team work, awareness and cooperation.

Tribal Fusion is a style that emerged from Tribal Style bellydance and is distinguished by elongating and stretching out the fundamental techniques of Tribal Style. Unlike Tribal Style, it is not always improvised, and can be performed solo. Additionally, Tribal Fusion mixes the foundational Tribal Style movements with stylistic influences of Hip Hop, Spanish Flamenco, Trance, Underground Club Dancing, and more to create a truely unique and challenging style all to itself.