Majidah Tribal belly dance
Tribal Belly Dance
There is no dance form quite like Tribal Belly Dance.
The roots of the dance are firmly in the Middle East, but with added influences from North African, Indian and Flamenco dance and others.
But it is in the improvisational nature of the dance that the true magic happens. No two dances are ever the same. The dancers are in constant communication with each other as one move flows into the next, following the cues given by the leader.
As a dancer you learn the moves and the cues which tell you what is coming next. As a troupe you learn each others' bodies and gestures, which unite you into one dancing unit.
The Look
One of the wonderful things about Tribal Belly Dance is the dressing up! Our costumes are very elaborate, full 25 yard skirts are layered over voluminous harem pants, fringed scarves and tassels accentuate the hips. Bras heavily adorned with antique style coins are worn over choli tops. Many flowers adorn the hair and the look is completed with lots and lots of jewellery.
Majidah love strong colours and although no two costumes are identical we are united by our choice of colour, a different combination for each occasion.
History
Over the years, Majidah have worked hard to create their own unique style of dance while remaining faithful to the core idea of group improvisation that give the dance its special energy.
We owe this magic idea to Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance. Following on from the work of Jamila Salimpour and Masha Archer in the 1970s and 1980s, it was Carolena who developed the concept of leaders and followers that is the true genius of improvisation. She called the style American Tribal Style (ATS), now called Fat Chance Style, to distinguish it from classical belly dance.
The style has become very popular throughout the world and has evolved in numerous ways. There are now many different styles that have developed out of ATS as each troupe adds their own creativity and develops their own moves and character.
We owe much to ATS and those that followed and have borrowed inspiration from lots of other dancers. So here we give honour and respect to Rachel Brice, Samantha Emanuel, Pauline Rees-Denis, Colleena Shakti, Helia Bandeh, April Rose, Ashley Lopez and many others.
