Thread: How would you call a fringe like that?

I'm thinking of making a "bellynesian" fusion costume, and I would like to find something similar to this fringe on the costume on this vid:

Lebanese Belly dance - YouTube

What's it call, raffia fringe, raffia trim, brush raffia...?

Thx in advance!

The natural stuff is raffia, the colorful plastic stuff is Cellophane shreds or "artificial raffia". You could buy cellophane shred/ artificial raffi fringe and construct your own, or maybe buy a hula skirt and cut it shorter. You will have to do some searching around for supplies but Google should be able to help you out with whatever approach you choose.

It's an interesting idea for an alternative to glass fringe. I always liked her costume in this video. The grass moves very differently and I like the fluffyness of it.

But I do have to put in a word of caution: Some people consider "bellynesian" to be offensive to Polynesian dance and culture, so you may need to take that into consideration whatever you plan to do. Polynesian dance is heavily rooted in religious aspects, so including movements can be akin to adding Dervish twirling or Classical Indian God/Goddess poses to your bellydancing. Also their dance form is fighting many stereotypes just like we are (remember those tacky 'hula girls'?) so they are sometimes understandably a bit sensitive. Here is an article on that, in case you want to do some reading on the subject:
- Naajidah writes about Ethics of Fusion for the Gilded Serpent

There have also been discussions here on Bhuz. Search "Bellynesian" and they should pop up.

Good luck!

It's just that I've been ask by an eventual customer who's has a big contract in a couple of months for a woman on her 30th D-Day. The family is lebanese and the theme will be a luau party.

From what I understand she will be performing regular modern sharki style dance... But they ask (if possible) if she could wear an "island girl" influenced costume (flower prints, bright colors, orchid, gardenia, flower in the hair, etc.) as bellydance superstar Sonia wears.
Our dear talented bhuzzer Estah has done a few ones lately.

So I tought this type of fringe would be a nice flowy touch, as for my costume designs, they are never offensive.

Thx for you help.

That sounds like a fun costume! Flowers in the hair and tropical prints... I like it.

I figured whatever you were doing wouldn't be something offensive, but wanted to add the info just in case. I had no idea that Polynesian fusion would be offensive until I took a Hula workshop and the teacher explained it. I was glad she did! Bellydance has so much fusion I think it's easy for people to make a cultural mistake without realizing it.

You might also try googling "Mylar Fringe". It comes in all different lengths and is also plastic with metallic look to it. I considered buying some once to make a Christmas Bedlah where I wanted the fringe to look like tinsel. I never did make the project.

Originally Posted by dima

Here is an article on that, in case you want to do some reading on the subject:
- Naajidah writes about Ethics of Fusion for the Gilded Serpent

Thank you for the link! (I'm tired of explaining that poi is not just a bad fusion add-on.)