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Step 1
Decide whether you will perform alone or with others. Dancing in a group can definitely give a performance a more tribal feel, as the dancers perform choreographies or improvise around each other. However, this is not always an option, especially for beginning dancers.
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Step 2
Choose your music. Many dancers use traditional Middle Eastern, Indian or Turkish music, often featuring lots of drums. Others prefer modern rock, electronic or fusion music. Whatever you choose, consider pieces with a variety of tempos, since many tribal belly dance moves look very impressive when done slowly as well as quickly.
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Step 3
Wear tribal belly dance costumes to perform. This could possibly include brightly colored skirts, tops, harem pants and scarves, plus creative jewelry, hair pieces, and other accessories. Many tribal dancers also wear dramatic makeup and some have tattoos, or use henna or liquid eyeliner to create temporary tattoos.
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Step 4
Choreograph at least some sections of your dance, using shimmies, undulations, and other belly dancing moves. Concentrate particularly on how you will move around, for example, how you will enter the performance area, whether the dancers will change places at all, and how your piece will end.
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Step 5
Leave space in your routine for improvisation. This is an important hallmark of tribal belly dance. If you are performing in a group, dedicate at least a little time to each dancer performing her favorite moves while the others fall back and do simpler supporting movements. Time these sections carefully so that you can come together again for the next choreographed move.
