Tribal gals--what are you looking for?

Mikayla · 09-21-2007, 12:42 PM

When you go to a tribal workshop or seminar, what do you anticipate to see the vendors selling?

I'm still trying to figure this out. Do you look for full costumes, coin bras, jewelry, skirts?

Thanks!

Albertina · 09-21-2007, 01:10 PM

Hmmm. The tribal events I went to normally had lots of jewelry and hip belts.

Sometimes they would have headgear, cowrie shell falls or something like that.

catdance · 09-21-2007, 11:02 PM

I usually look for jewelry and sometimes hip belts with kuchi pendants.

I make most of my costumes so I only end up looking for what I can't make myself.

However, if something is really unusual and eye-catching I end up getting it.

bscharf · 09-22-2007, 03:04 PM

I want kuchi danglies and belts. I want banjara cholis and belts. I want ten yard skirts. I want cholis that I can actually dance in. I want fun bindis. Fringed skirts died in multi colors are cool. I want fluffy pantaloons.

Sorry, I got a little excited there. It's been a while since I did any quality shopping

MakedaMaysa · 09-25-2007, 10:36 AM

In my tribal costuming, I really like the ability to be original, so I wouldn't want full costumes. I would prefer costuming pieces, like pants and skirts, along with loads of fabulous jewelry.

TribalDancer · 09-25-2007, 01:57 PM

Tribal dancers like lots of individual pieces they can personalize by combining in different ways. So think individual pieces that can mix and match--lots of texture. Ethnic jewelry (but unique pieces--there are a million sellers, so the usual stuff is near impossible to move any more), and accent pieces.

Mikayla · 10-01-2007, 08:39 PM

Thanks for all your replies. This really helps me out!

nimah · 10-01-2007, 09:26 PM

I want hair falls! Cowrie falls, dread falls, and hair extensions...in lots of colors. I want to see those headpieces that combine lots of stuff--cowries, kuchi bits, buttons, shells, etc...the kind of stuff that I wish I could make for myself if I had time.

Dancers can find 10 yard skirts anywhere, so I want to see 12 and 15 yard skirts!

TribalDancer · 10-02-2007, 12:42 PM

Nimah, these things you mention are available in SPADES. ALL OVER THE PLACE! And at cheap prices that makes it hard for someone to add theirs to the mix.

Unique items are what everyone really needs, but it's hard to hit on the right mix.

nimah · 10-02-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalDancer

Nimah, these things you mention are available in SPADES. ALL OVER THE PLACE!

Dang, maybe I'm lookin' in the wrong places. The reason why I'd like to see people selling hair extensions at events is so I can hold them up to my own hair and see if they'll match. I know they're on eBay, but I've ordered dread falls online before that ended up not being a good color match.

Same goes for headbands and hairpieces... I know where to get them online, but that's not the same as being able to see it in person and examine the quality, check it out to see if it'll stay put, etc.

In Minneapolis, there really isn't anyone that sells anything like this. All my tribal costuming came from internet purchases. Now that I'm in Chicago, I've seen people vending tribal stuff, which is awesome, but I don't feel like I've seen things in spades here (except Sharifwear....lots of vendors here sell the Sharifwear tanks and pants). But as I said, maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.