A Deep Dive into the Origins, Style, and Cultural Impac of American Tribal Style Bellydance
American Tribal Style (ATS) bellydance is a unique, community-driven dance form that combines elements of Middle Eastern, North African, Indian, and Flamenco dance. Created in the United States in the late 20th century, ATS is distinct not only for its aesthetic but also for its emphasis on group improvisation, a vibrant sense of unity, and a performance style that exudes both strength and grace. Here, we’ll explore ATS in detail, looking at its history, its defining characteristics, and why it continues to inspire dancers around the world.
The Origins of ATS
The journey of ATS began in the 1970s and 1980s in San Francisco, California. Carolena Nericcio, the founder of the dance company FatChanceBellyDance, is widely credited with pioneering ATS. Her vision was to create a dance form that celebrated feminine power, community, and connection. With a foundation rooted in various cultural and folkloric dance traditions, ATS was designed to allow women to dance together in a cohesive yet improvised manner.
During the early stages, Nericcio blended elements of Egyptian, Turkish, and Indian dance with influences from Flamenco, especially its posture and proud carriage. Her goal was to create a dance style that represented a strong and grounded feminine energy, distinct from the solo-oriented cabaret style of bellydance popular at the time. What set ATS apart was its focus on nonverbal communication and the collective power of a synchronized group dance.
Key Characteristics of ATS
ATS has several defining features that make it distinct from other forms of bellydance. These include group improvisation, specific costuming, shared movements and cues, strong posture, and often the use of live drumming and finger cymbals (zils).
Group Improvisation
The hallmark of ATS is its emphasis on group improvisation. ATS is performed in a group, typically organized in a “leader-follower” formation. The lead dancer subtly cues the next movement through specific gestures, and the followers respond in real-time, creating a choreography that appears planned but is actually improvised. This leader-follower setup can rotate throughout a performance, allowing various dancers to take turns leading.
This improvisational style brings a sense of excitement and spontaneity to ATS, and it’s what enables dancers from different backgrounds to perform together seamlessly. Since the movements and cues are standardized, dancers who may have never danced together before can perform in harmony, guided by the visual cues they’ve learned. This format fosters a powerful sense of community and inclusivity, as all dancers speak the same movement language.
Costume and Aesthetic
The ATS costume is as iconic as the dance itself. Drawing inspiration from various traditional dance and folk styles, ATS attire is a rich fusion of textures, colors, and accessories. The costumes often feature:
- Full, tiered skirts that create beautiful shapes when dancers spin and turn.
- Tribal jewelry with heavy, layered pieces, such as metal necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
- Coin belts or hip scarves, which emphasize hip movements and add visual interest.
- Turbans or headwraps, adding an exotic and earthy touch to the costume.
- Layered tops and cholis (a fitted blouse with open back and sleeves), which enhance the visual flow of arm and torso movements.
The ATS costume is not only visually captivating but also functional, with the layers and pieces enhancing the powerful, grounded aesthetic of the dance.
Movement Vocabulary and Cues
ATS dancers use a shared vocabulary of movements, which are standard across ATS communities worldwide. This vocabulary consists of foundational movements such as slow, controlled hip slides, undulations, shoulder shimmies, and specific arm positions. Movements are categorized based on their speed (slow or fast) and whether they are stationary or traveling.
Each movement in ATS has a corresponding visual cue, which the lead dancer uses to signal the next movement. These cues are subtle and precise—often involving a turn of the head, a shift in hand position, or a change in gaze direction. The standardization of these cues is essential to ATS, as it enables dancers from any background to communicate seamlessly during improvisation.
Strong Posture and Arms
ATS places great emphasis on posture. Dancers maintain a grounded, powerful stance, with lifted chest, strong shoulders, and a slight bend in the knees, creating a stable foundation. The arms are an important part of ATS, with graceful, extended arm positions that complement the torso’s movements.
This posture contributes to the overall aesthetic of ATS, giving it a feeling of strength, confidence, and fluidity. Arm movements, whether extended or soft and undulating, enhance the flow of energy and make ATS a visually arresting dance form.
Live Drumming and Zils
Another feature of ATS is its rhythmic complexity. Many ATS performances include live drumming, which adds an organic, earthy dimension to the dance. Dancers often accompany their movements with finger cymbals, also known as zils, which they play in rhythm with their steps. This adds another layer of complexity and creates an interactive musical element within the performance.
The Cultural Impact of ATS
Since its inception, ATS has had a profound impact on the global bellydance community. By creating a format that allows dancers to connect and communicate through nonverbal cues, ATS has fostered an inclusive dance environment. Its emphasis on group dynamics and unity resonates with dancers from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of connection that transcends language and cultural barriers.
Moreover, ATS has inspired new generations of dancers to experiment with cultural fusion, leading to the evolution of Tribal Fusion. This ATS-inspired style allows dancers to incorporate a broader range of musical influences, costumes, and experimental movements while maintaining the strong foundation of ATS.
The Evolution of ATS and the Rise of Tribal Fusion
Tribal Fusion bellydance emerged in the late 1990s as an extension of ATS. While ATS focuses on group improvisation and a traditional, earthy aesthetic, Tribal Fusion is more experimental and individualistic. It incorporates elements from hip-hop, modern dance, and even ballet, allowing dancers to explore a broader range of music, attire, and themes.
Though distinct, Tribal Fusion retains ATS’s foundation of controlled, isolated movements and strong posture. It has become a popular performance style, and many Tribal Fusion dancers continue to train in ATS as a way to stay grounded in the fundamentals.
Why People are Drawn to ATS
ATS’s appeal lies in its balance of structure and spontaneity. The dance is both rooted in tradition and open to improvisation, which allows for a sense of freedom within a structured framework. For many dancers, ATS is more than just a dance form—it’s a way of life, a means of self-expression, and a source of empowerment.
The community aspect of ATS is another draw. Unlike solo dance forms, ATS is built on a collective experience. Dancers form close bonds as they learn to communicate through movement, trust each other’s cues, and support each other in performances. This shared experience creates a strong sense of camaraderie and sisterhood among ATS dancers, many of whom describe it as feeling like a “tribe.”
Conclusion: Experience ATS for Yourself
American Tribal Style bellydance is a powerful dance form that encourages self-expression, unity, and empowerment. Whether you’re drawn to its aesthetic, its community-focused structure, or the opportunity for personal growth, ATS offers something unique for everyone. This modern yet ancient-feeling dance form has captivated people worldwide and continues to evolve as more dancers join the ATS community.
If you’re intrigued by ATS, consider joining an online ATS Level 1 class to experience this unique dance form firsthand. I offer classes every Monday at 20:15 (Beijing time) via Zoom, where we dive into the fundamental movements and principles of ATS. Plus, each session is recorded and available for a week, so you can practice on your schedule. Join us to explore this transformative dance and discover the beauty of group improvisation!
https://inkostudioschedule.as.me/ats-bellydance-level-1
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