Ophira Dance is an emergent educational production company dedicated to the enhancement of community through the study and presentation of Tribal Belly Dance.  Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California, we offer a unique opportunity to explore the unrivaled benefits of this special dance.  Welcome, and please browse our site! 

What is Tribal Belly dance?

American Tribal Style Belly dance (ATS) is based on the migration of the Rom gypsies as they traveled from East India through the Middle East into North Africa and Spain.  This style first began with Jamila Salimpour, the great-grandmother, was re-formed by Masha Archer, the grandmother, and re-created in the 80’s as we know it today by Carolena Nericcio and her troupe Fat Chance Belly dance.

Tribal belly dance differs from other styles of belly dance in several ways:

Group Improvisation: Tribal belly dance is based on a common vocabulary of movement.  Through subtle cueing and lots of practice, dancers can create a performance in the moment that appears to be choreographed.

Costuming: The look is more “ethnic-flavored,” borrowing costuming elements from many different cultures.  We tend to incorporate lots of layers, rich bold colors and heavy jewelry.

Attitude:  There is a way of carrying ourselves that is widely recognized as ‘tribal posture.’  Regal, powerful and proud, and grounded this posture distinguishes itself quite clearly from other dance forms.  Our facial expressions express inward joy and playfulness or, with the slower family of movements, display our self confidence and power through a soft, yet deep penetrating gaze.

This style is appropriately named TRIBAL because your fellow dancers will become your tribe. This dance is about connecting with other dancers while you express yourself; working in harmony with others while simultaneously finding your own inner grace, beauty and power.  At first it will be challenging, but the potential for camaraderie, comfort, trust and friendship contained within the study of this dance is incredibly rewarding.