My A.T.S. Journey

We are American Tribal Style belly dancers. This style of dancing originated in India, and traveled along the gypsy trail, through south Asia to Northern Africa, taking dance elements from each stop and visit. The costume has developed from this journey. The dance top, Choli, is from India. The pantaloons, Moroccan. The turban, Turkey. The full skirt, Spain. The tasslebelt, of Middle Eastern beginnings, was orignally camel/horse headgear, and was altered, to become an intergral part of the costume. Bits and pieces added to personalise and decorate it. The jewelry mostly of Middle Eastern design, from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkoman, Banjara, Waziri, and Kuchi tribes, although anything interesting can be used.

I would like to thank Fat Chance Belly Dance director, Carolena Nerriccio, for developing this style of dance. I also thank Alaine Casey for introducing American Tribal Style belly dancing to Perth.

And I would like to thank SHEIK TO SHEIK for holding the classes at their studio.

This dancing style is a celebration of women, of their strength and beauty, no matter their age or size.

The First American Tribal Style Bellydancers in Western Australia

After almost a year Meegan and I had our first performance as guest dancers, not student dancers, at Tahia's Hafla at "Milanos Restaurant" in September of 2002. We did a marvelous duo, utilising Tribal and trational egyptian music. Our techinque might not have been spot on perfect, but we did well, and had a good time. Most of the audience were mesmerised. When we were done, the applause was deafening. We had a lot of fun, and were asked many questions. One lady said she never knew a larger woman would be able to look and be that graceful, and she was glad she had come.

Milanos Restaurant, September 5, 2002


Presence is everything	Smiles and enjoyment on Arabic Orbit	Choo Choo

Pivot Bump	Happy Dancers!	Oops! Meegan Blinked, but she looks great!


Meegan Sitting Proud!	Me being silly (yes I am sober)

Photographs courtesy of D.Colgan, aka "Daggles".

Seeing as we still needed more practical experience, especially in a group dynamic, we kept working with some students from the dance studio, and intermittently with them at small rented room. Meegan and I continued to practice elsewhere without them.

For the past few months, we have noticed the group straying from the FCBD format, with invented and adapted moves being shown, and only doing structured, choreographed routines. We felt we had learned all they were able to share, so it was time to move on. We wish the remaining ones luck in the future.

Tribal Links

	Fat Chance Bellydance	Visit the birthplace of American Tribal Style Bellydance Updated listing of performances and Photogallery. Spectacular!
	Black Swan Tribe	Confidence, Strength, Beauty, Elegance. The Black Swan Tribe American Tribal Style Bellydance
	Ink Link	Tattoos, henna designs and other body art
	Belly Dance Bits'N'Pieces	Sources for Tribal Jewely, and free Tribal Costume patterns: choli, tiered skirt,full circle skirt with sewing instructions.
	Dance Teachers Online	A great resource site for finding dance teachers
	Mandala Tribal	Tribal belly dance instruction, performance, and costumes & accessories. Seattle, WA, USA.
	Ghawazi Caravan	ATS in the Blue Mountains
	Shira	The Art of Middle Eastern Dance.

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