The Uzumé

"The Uzumé is sleek, sexy and innovative.
They bring a level of integrety to Tribal Fusion Belly Dance that elevates the artform."
Olivia Kissel / Co-Artistic Director of Zafira Dance Company


As the first Tribal Fusion Bellydance collective in Holland, prize winning troupe The Uzumé has been mesmerizing audiences worldwide. Organizing workshops while at the same time deepening their individual skills has caused their steady rise to the forefront of the genre.

In March 2005 Tjarda became the founder, artistic director and choreographer of The Uzumé, presently the leading bellydance troupe in Europe. Since then, The Uzumé has been continuously booked for events both in Holland and abroad, picking up prizes along the way – amongst which one for Best Dance Company. In January 2006 Renate (Maya Acid), who is now co-director, joined the team to complete the on-stage chemistry. They are currently leading the foundation of this dance company.

The innovative and charismatic Uzumé performs both choreographed pieces as well as freestyles which lead them to collaborations with many different DJ's and event organizers throughout Europe and the USA. In 2008 Tjarda was nominated by The National Institute for the Voluntary Arts for Most Promising Upcoming Choreographer with Exquisite Skills. Blurring lines and drawing inspiration from even the most unlikely sources, Tjarda is a choreographic force in today's Tribal Fusion Scene. One of her solo's can be seen on the Hollywood's Music Centre DVD Tales of Desire II.

Next to organizing their events twice a year, one of The Uzumé successful projects has been their "Worlddance Con Fusion" theatre show of late 2007. They have some stunning projects planned, having only just begun...

They have been performing and teaching at significant festivals and events such as Sziget, Tribal Fest 9 (USA), Tribalondon (UK), Raqs Britannia (UK), Raqs Congress (B), Unmata's Bloodmoon Regale 8 (USA), BellyFusions (F), Sirocco (UK), Tribal UMRAH (F), World of Orient (D), Robodock, Paradiso, Sugar Factory, Melkweg, Supperclub, Mysteryland, De Parade, Nataraj, All is One, Project Mayhem, Tivoli De Helling, and many more.