Thread: Help with Ideas for Tribal Theme

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This year I'm thinking of doing some kind of tribal, jungle, voodoo kind of thing. I downloaded some tribal drums awhile back and I can't get it out of my head! So that was my original inspiration.

My display is always in my front yard which is divided into two rectangles divided by the sidewalk going up to my front door. The smaller area has always been some kind of cemetery along the lines of whatever theme I was doing.

I'm interested in ideas for vignettes or scenes I could put together and if there is some kind of burial grounds I could work in. What kind of things could the characters (static) be doing? I don't want a lot of blood and gore, mostly the intent of something terrible to be done.

I've been collecting bamboo garden poles (thin ones only so far) and raffia, and will get a bunch of torches when I can find them. I know I'll need a bunch of skulls on stakes, but after that I'm at a loss, and I need your help! I was thinking of calling it "Tribal Terror" or something along those lines.

sounds like you need to chat with UnOrthOdOx..

Tribal Terror sounds awesome. I can't wait to see pictures. You are going to need lots of eerie green spot lights and maybe some kind of alter with a big boiling pot.

Scatterbrains: I was just looking at a thread with UnOrthodOx's haunt. I do need him--where he be? And I was also looking at Terra's alway's cool stuff. And, hoping they don't mind, I would like to do some things based on what they have done.

yardhauntjunkie: Altar and boiling pot are great! Who (or what's) in the pot? Bones? unwitting tourists? Who's tending the pot...witchdoctor?

sounds like you need to chat with UnOrthOdOx..

Hm, wha? Someone rang?

Originally Posted by cinders

This year I'm thinking of doing some kind of tribal, jungle, voodoo kind of thing.

YES! I fully endourse such a direction!

I downloaded some tribal drums awhile back and I can't get it out of my head! So that was my original inspiration.

I would very much like to hear what tribal drums you have, if you can provide a link. My original soundtrack consisted of Djembe 1 and Djembe 2 (authentic African drums) cd compilations bought off Amazon. Has grown to include Haitian, Cherokee, and Japanese drums as well.

My display is always in my front yard which is divided into two rectangles divided by the sidewalk going up to my front door. The smaller area has always been some kind of cemetery along the lines of whatever theme I was doing.

Tribal cemetery...THAT is going to depend on what tribe you want to do. There is some Native American styles on the Monster list what would be AWESOME. Myself, we went with an original concept in Project Nightfall.

I did see an episode of Tribal Odessy where they buried the leader of the tribe in a place with a bunch of painted stones. Was a stone circle, and all the 'headstones' (just random flat stones they had stood up, no writing) had just red dripping dye on them. Really creepy and cool.

I'm interested in ideas for vignettes or scenes I could put together and if there is some kind of burial grounds I could work in. What kind of things could the characters (static) be doing? I don't want a lot of blood and gore, mostly the intent of something terrible to be done.

Boy, you're right up my alley. I humbly present my own site as possible inspiration. Videos and pics are in the sidebar.

Other sources I've used...off the top of my head...

The following movies:
White Zombie
I walked with a Zombie
The Serpent and the Rainbow
House on Skull Mountain

TV Series of interest:
Taboo (A&E, I think)
Going Tribal (Discovery)
Tribal Odessy (Travel Channel)
Tribal Secrets (History)
Destination Truth (SciFi, not a great series, but interesting interactions with locals)

Also have studied most religious references to human sacrifice.

Witch Doctor is a must. Outside of that, you have cannibalism, shrunken heads, and sacrifice to play with as potential themes for people DOING something. Or, you can go the non-violent approach of Voudoun, with possessions, altars, chanting, dancing, etc.

I've been collecting bamboo garden poles (thin ones only so far) and raffia, and will get a bunch of torches when I can find them. I know I'll need a bunch of skulls on stakes, but after that I'm at a loss, and I need your help! I was thinking of calling it "Tribal Terror" or something along those lines.

I very heavily recommend purchasing the bamboo in bulk. Best bamboo I've found is from Bamboo Fencer. It's high right now, but typically goes on sale in the summer. Other than that, the next best I've found is the "Super bamboo" either 6' or 5' in length in the garden section of Home Depot.

Torches were once easy to find, but were most difficult last year, especially since Wal-Mart's were unsafe. I'ld avoid anything with a plastic oil canister that is not made by lamplight farms.

Again, there are means of buying these in bulk if you're looking for 25 or so. But, the break even point is about 20. Under 20, you may as well buy them small-bit from a local store.

And, feel free to ask any questions, and let us know what you're up to. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the idea.

Totem poles! You need really tall, carved totem poles to go with your staked heads and witch doctor...

My best suggestion:

HAVE FUN.

Put on those drums every time you go to work on something. FEEL them...BECOME them...and laugh when the neighbors call the cops because of them...

remember: The Hungan speaks to the drums, the drums speak to the Loa, the Loa provide.

Ah, here's the burial off the Monster list I was talking about.

Halloween Darksite of Uncialle, How to Haunt Page, Kid Safe

cinders, you need some snakes!

You're theme sounds really cool. I'll be looking forward to seeing pictures.

What about putting some necklaces with fingers and toes stringed on them, on the static props.... think POTC when Johnny Depp had that toe necklace on... eww.

OooO... just got another idea... what about structures made of bones... like totem pole type things or even a cage for a victim? Maybe even the legs for the alter that yardhauntjunkie had suggested =)

This theme is fun!

Originally Posted by Curlgoddess

OooO... just got another idea... what about structures made of bones... like totem pole type things or even a cage for a victim? Maybe even the legs for the alter that yardhauntjunkie had suggested =)

This theme is fun!

Reminds me of some random "to do" things on my plate that are never going to get done. (We are going to go a different route in 2010. Not willing to say it's the 'last year' of the tribal thing for us, just we'll be taking a break for a few) Love to see someone complete them: