American Tribal Style Belly Dance

A recent movement in the United States, American Tribal Style belly dance (also known as Tribal or ATS) is a modern style of belly dance consisting of ancient dance techniques from North India, the Middle East and Africa. Tribal is often performed at community events such as festivals and parades.

The preferred cotume of Tribal dancers tends to be large tiered skirts or wide-legged pants, short blouses with plunging necklines, visible, eleaborately decorated bras, hip scarves, turbans, and silver jewelry. Dancers often tatoo their faces and apply heavy makeup to the eyes.

The main characteristic of Tribal belly dance is group improvisation, although tribal does feature solos and duets within the group. There is often a group of dancers in the background, allowing a featured soloist to be spotlighted in the front. Tribal dancers often use finger cymbals.

Several American Tribal Style Belly Dance troupes exist in the United States. "FatChanceBellyDance" is one of the largest ATS dance troupe companies, formed in 1987 by carolena Nericcio. The company provides lessons, videos, music, costumes and more.