The Eceni or Iceni were a Brythonic tribe inhabiting an area of Britain corresponding roughly to the modern-day county of Norfolk between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. Coins such as these, marked 'ECEN' have been discovered in Norwich; we liked the sound of Eceni and coins are used a lot in bellydance costume so that's how we found our name.

In 59AD, King Prasutagus died. Tacitus wrote that the late king had left the Emperor co-heir with his two daughters. By doing this he planned to keep safe his kingdom and family. In 60AD, within days of the death of Prasutagus, Emperor Nero ordered the overall financial administrator of Britain to meet the Eceni leaders to claim the land and goods of the whole tribe as Roman property.

The Romans took the view than the whole territory now belonged to the Romans. They reduced the people to nothing more than mere possessions. The upper class were evicted from their homes. Members of the Royal House were captured and put to slavery. The Romans took over the tribe, publically flogging his widow; Queen Boudica - and brutalising her daughters. This was to be too much for the Eceni. The result was one of the worst rebellions the Romans had ever encountered. Boudica took her daughters into hiding and began to plan a rebellion.

During the war that follows, Boudica and her army razed Colchester, London and St. Albans to the ground. Both women and men fought as part of the rebellion. The Roman scribes recorded that they painted themselves with woad, a blue pigment with antiseptic properties used to heal potential wounds. In a final and terrible battle, the disciplined Roman soldiers quashed the rebellion. Boudica allegedly poisoned herself rather than be dragged to Rome as a bloody spectacle. The fate of her daughters is unknown.

Sue

I took my first Egyptian dance class June 2003 and loved it from the word go. However, finding Tribal style belly dance I really found myself and a real passion for the dance form, it is so grounded, strong and feminine.
Before we formed Eceni I never felt confident enough to perform but now I really enjoy it because it feels right for me, I love dancing with the group, it feels like we are dancing for ourselves as well as the audience.
I hold PTLLS teaching qualification and am currently working towards CTLLS teaching certificate. In March 2010 I gained my ATS General Skills qualification in Indiana, USA.
I am very proud of what we have achieved together.

Frances

I've been Egyptian dancing for 10 years, falling in love with it immediately - the music, the movements, the lovely jangly jewellery (or is that just me?)
This dance form seems to attract the nicest, most interesting people you could hope to meet. Over the years I've made some good friends and had lots of fun; we always seem to find something to laugh at in classes - mostly ourselves!
I only came to Tribal dancing this summer (2006) but it felt like coming home. I've always preferred the more earthy rhythms of the music and this dance is so grounded, so connected - absolutely right for me.
We five met through a love of dance and hope to share the strength and joy of our dancing together, and with others, for a long time.

Louise

I started taking Egyptian dance lessons in January 2004 on a random impulse to do more exercise! It quickly became more than just exercise, it became an obsession! Having never done any other form of dance before I was a bit lost at the beginning, and yes, some of those moves are really hard when you are first starting, but I bumbled on!
I think the reason I bumbled on (and still do!) is because there is something very natural about this dance (in whatever form), something screams out 'yes, this is right! Keep doing it!' and it becomes part of you. Combine that feeling with the music, the other lovely crazy women doing it and all those jingly jangly costumes and you have an addiction!
I first started Tribal Style in the summer of 2006, when a group of lovely ladies all got together from their classes and created Eceni. I believe that the group element of this style of the dance emphasises the naturalness of it. Also and perhaps most importantly – it is much more fun dancing around with cool and groovy people than on your own!

Sharon

I started my first Egyptian dance class in September 1997, since that first class I have been completely hooked. When I first began I was very self-conscious and always stayed at the back, over the years I have gained in confidence and have danced at more and more events. I have also tried other forms of dance; Salsa, Bachata, Ballroom and Latin.
A couple of years ago I saw a small clip of ATS on a DVD. I was impressed with how strong, composed and together the dancers were. When Eceni was formed we were just 5 women that had a common interest and wanted to learn more about this form of dance, but as time has gone on we have found we all have a lot more in common.
I like to feel part of the group; we are all there to support each other when we dance, and are all part of a whole. I also really enjoy designing and making the costumes. I feel its an outlet for my creative side, we all pool our thoughts and try to come up with a look that binds us all together.
In March 2010 I gained my ATS General Skills qualification in Indiana, USA.

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Lucy

I started studying Middle Eastern Dance in January 2004 and discovered Tribal shortly after, beginning with Fusion styles and moving into group improvisation after we formed Eceni.
I am passionate about ATS and I gained my ATS General Skills qualification in Glastonbury in October 2008. I love learning from different instructors, as well as chatting with other dancers and I try to keep in touch with those I meet at workshops and events as well as on the internet.
I enjoy drumming especially for other dancers. When I'm not dancing I work in e-commerce. I love sewing and making costumes and accessories and this interest is indulged by Tribal Style :)

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