Adventures of a tribal dancer...

Poll #861265 Tribal Fusion Hula Hoop

Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All. Participants: 23

Do you consider the hula hoop...

View Answers

bellydance

0(0.0%)

tribal

0(0.0%)

tribal fusion

1(4.3%)

none of the above

22(95.7%)

I'm just putting it right up front: I consider it not at all bellydance, tribal, or tribal fusion. I consider it a fusion dance of sorts (more modern or interpretive), but not bellydance, and not tribal in any way.

Why do people keep doing it and calling it tribal fusion, which is a SUBSET OF BELLYDANCE, which assumes most of the dancing is bellydance and the fusion element is a way of accenting, enhancing, or otherwise SUPPORTING the bellydance aspect of the dance?

I think hoop dancing is awesome and have long wanted to explore it myself.

But honestly, it is MAYBE a hula hoop fusion, using mostly hula hoop with some bellydance moves thrown in, not the other way around. So what the hell....

My theory?

There is a lot of crossover between bellydance, burlesque, and other "body" arts. I think today the same women are drawn to all of these styles of movement which honor the body, allow us to be IN our physical selves, challenge ourselves both creatively and physically in a way that few other parts of our lives allow for. These arts all celebrate similar ideals of beauty in all shapes and sizes, using space in unique ways, and of course the whole sub-culture/anti-culture element that tribal particularly caters to. So I see why the same women do one or many of these different styles of creative movement. But why they insist on jamming them all together and calling it bellydance I don't understand. I am ALL FOR FUSION! But call it what it is. If it is mostly burlesque, do it on a burlesge stage, which has no real limitations on what is or isn't burlesuqe--it's a wide open field. If it is mostly hula hooping, go to Burningman and wow the crowd with your unique combination of bellydance moves thrown in between your hooping stylings. But why oh why must you put a half-dozen disconnected bellydance moves together with ruffle panties, thigh highs, a lightly decorated bra, dread falls, and a neon hula hoop and call it TRIBAL FUSION?!?!

*tearing hair out*

The thing that kills me is when these artists get mad at me for having this opinion, claiming I don't like fusion. YES! I FUCKING DO! I just want you to be honest about what you're doing, in word and deed. Understand what the idea of bellydance fusion MEANS. I love what you're doing as entertainment--it moves me, makes me clap and cheer and laugh and...and then groan when you come to Tribal Fest and pierce your thigh flesh while stripping off your neon fur Ghawazee coat to reveal purple-striped thig-hhighs and fairy wings with a spinning, flaming nipple aparatus, throw in a few (however well executed) undulations and hip drops and then wonder why I "don't get it".

This is my opinion. And despite it's powerfully clear message, it doesnt' mean I don't want to hear YOUR opinion. I love hearing opinions, in agreement and in opposition. Bring it on.