A brief history of Tribal Fusion belly dancing:

The Incomparable Jamila Salimpour!

The type of belly dancing that I take part in is called Tribal Fusion, and is a relatively new phenomenon. However, it did not just come into being by itself, as it has it’s roots in the American Tribal Style ® of belly dancing. Beginning in America, Tribal Fusion has evolved from the Tribal Style of belly dancing that was common in San Francisco from 1967. Its early founder, Jamila Salimpour taught the technique to feminist Masha Archer, whose aim it was to remove any sexist preconceptions that were associated with belly dancing, and had been for a long time.

Fat Chance Belly Dance ®

The American Tribal Style ® improvisational dance movement was started in San Francisco by Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance ®, who had become passionate about this particular belly dancing style after studying with Masha Archer. Early pioneers of the dance style, Frederique Johnston, Beth Masse, and Mishell Burt broke off from another early ATS® group, Ultra Gypsy, and began laying the groundwork for what we know today as Tribal Fusion. Soloists began taking the more muscular and earthy movements of ATS® and fused them with other dance styles such as hip-hop, ballet, and modern, thus, Tribal Fusion belly dancing began.  Whether you are at a show, or watching it on the television while playing Foxy Bingo, this type of belly dancing has a very distinctive style, which can be recognized as unique when compared with more traditional forms of belly dance such as Egyptian, Turkish, or Cabaret. Many other dancers became enamoured with Tribal Fusion belly dancing in 2001, and it attracted more advocates than it had ever had before.

The Indigo: Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes

Tribal Fusion belly dancing gained more attention in 2003 when Rachel Brice and the Indigo went on tour with the Bellydance Superstars. The Indigo, comprised of Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes, brought a polished and theatrical act to audiences worldwide and really helped to popularize the dance-form.  Its movement, the music associated with performances, and its very specific costuming style makes it a very appealing dance-form to pursue, and something that audiences simply love to watch. It runs the gamut of high-energy and entertaining to dark and sultry movement, all while being uniquely feminine and entrancing.