In my classes, we talk a lot about the importance of body line American Tribal Style. In my experience, I find Carolena Nerriccio to be a visual artist of the human form–when developing moves over the years, every creative decision has been anchored in strong lines, presenting the body in the most flattering and powerful way. It is these striking, editorial shapes which make tribal bellydance so uniquely riveting.
In class, we often discuss the moves as a smooth and seamless series of moving images. We talk about the idea that a photographer snapping away should be able to capture the key shapes–those magic moments when we are expressing the innate power and grace of the movement.
So ya wanna play a little game with me? Let’s play “What move is this?” Below are a series of ATS dancers and troupes performing, followed by a list of common ATS movement names. You try to match the image with the move they are demonstrating. Take a look and see how every movement has an iconic shape, body line, gaze, presentation–every element of the Classic and Modern ATS vocabulary considers the body line to suit the overall aesthetic.
For example, here’s an easy one, from the lovely dancers of MOIRAI TRIBAL in London:
3. Tribal Moon
B. Shoulder Shimmy Hip Drop (Sweet n’ Sassy)
C. Arabic Arm Sweep (ASWAT)
D. Body Wave
E. Shimmy (Ghawazee Shimmy)
F. Barrel Turn
G. Warp Turn (Wrap Around Turn)
H. Sahra Turn
I. Torso Rotation
J. Hip Bump
+ 2 bonus partner moves/combos
5 Responses
Nancy
1. J – Hip Bump
2. F – Barrel Turn (Do a barrel roll!)
3. A – Egyptian Basic
4. I – Torso Rotation
5.
6. E – Shimmy
7. D – Body Wave
8.
9.
10. Shoulder shimmy hip drop
I recognize 5, 8, and 9 as level 2 moves, but I can’t for the life of me remember their names!
Sofia
Great game!
Here are my answers:
(1) J – hip bump
(2) F- barrel turn
(3) A- Egyptian
(4) G – wrap around turn
(5) I – torso rotation
(6) E – ghawazee
(7) D – body wave
(8) H – sahra
(9) C – arabic shimmy w/ arms and turns
(10)B – should shimmy hip drop combo
(11) chico four corners
(12) arabic orbit
DragonFly24
1. Hip Bump
2. Barrel Turn
3. Basic Egyptian
4. Wrap Around
5. Torso Rotation
6. Ghawazee
7. Body Wave
8. Sahra
9. ASWAT
10. Sweet n’ Sassy
11. Chico Duet
12. Arabic Orbit
Fun! 🙂
Megan
Awesome idea 🙂
1. J – Hip Bump
2. F – Barrel Turn
3. A – Egyptian
4. G – Warp Turn (Wrap Around Turn)
5. I – Torso Rotation
6. E – Shimmy (Ghawazee Shimmy)
7. D – Body Wave
8. H – Sahra Turn
9. C – Arabic Arm Sweep (ASWAT)
10. B – Shoulder Shimmy Hip Drop (Sweet n’ Sassy)
Bonus 1 – Chico four corners passing
Bonus 2 – Arabic Orbit
chella
I got most of them! Great post though, it really is incredible how strong and unique the lines are for each move. That could be a good test of our own skills – freezing mid-move and seeing what our lines are really like. 🙂