In this article, we would be looking at various dance style across Africa. Dance is one fundamental part of cultural expression. According to popular archaeologist, Steven J. Mithen, early humans might have danced to attract a mate and for ritual purposes as far back as 1.5 million years ago. A more recent study suggests babies are born to dance, with the ability to bop to the beat as young as 5 months old. Dance is an innate form of human expression, and like many things that make us human, the beauty is shared in a distinct way across various societies. It is unlikely that any human society has denied itself the excitement and pleasure of dancing. There are many dance forms that have been celebrated across the world, and many times, only contemporary dance forms like Hip Hop, Ballet, Salsa and others are given recognition, while traditional dances, especially from native communities are seen as exotic rituals that are indulged seldomly, if ever. Today, we would be exploring African cultural dances, its unique form, history, and contemporary relevance to its endemic population. Let's watch Africa dance!
1. Agbadza Dance of the Ewe People of Ghana: Agbadza is a Ghanaian war dance performed by the Ewe people. It is a type of Bekor movement. This dance is also performed by the Ewe people of Benin and Togo. According to cultural records, the Ewe people originated in Dahomey (Benin) under the leadership of Agokoli. Agokoli's rule was so inhumane that the Ewe people plotted their escape. According to legend, they constantly poured water on their compound's clay walls. They pulled down the clay wall, turned around, and marched out of the compound backwards when it became weakened.
The concept of walking backwards would deceive their oppressors into believing that the people were entering rather than leaving the compound. All of the Ewe escaped and fled Dahomey in the dead of night. They had to march through many hostile territories on their way to Ghana. They claim that a bird flying overhead guided them to safety. The bird's wings are incorporated into Bekor form dances. Agbadza is now performed as a recreational dance, but it can also be seen at funerals, as war dances are customarily performed at funerals.
2. Adumu Dance of The Maasai People of Kenya: Higher! Jump Higher! Increase your height! If you jump the highest, you will gain warrior status and the ability to choose your most beautiful bride. This is one of the East African traditions practiced by the Maasai people. This traditional dance, known as 'Adumu,' transforms a young man into a warrior. In this dance, the boys jump as high as they can while music and claps encourage them. This dance is primarily performed during Eonoto, the warriors' coming-of-age ceremony.
This jumping dance, known as Aigus, is one of the things that has made the Maasai people famous because this event is heavily photographed and videotaped by a large number of tourists. The warriors form a circle during this competitive jumping event, and one or two will enter the centre to begin jumping while maintaining a narrow posture and never letting their heels touch the ground. Members of the group may raise the pitch of their voices based on the height of the jump during this jump.
3. Indlamu – A South African Zulu War Dance: Indlamu dance technique entails a performer (male) lifting one foot over his head, landing that leg firmly on the ground, and occasionally falling backwards. Indlamu dance is usually performed in groups, but occasionally a group member will take center stage to perform his or her own dance routine. This "war dance" is primarily performed by the "Zulu" community in South Africa.
Culturally, the dance is performed in auspicious ceremonies like weddings, war preparations, and during harvest. In the colonial era, it served as a power symbol and articulated dominance and self-control.
4. Lamban Griotic African Dance of Mali: The Lamban dance was a story-telling dance performed by griots in African communities. Sunjata Keita, also known as the Lion King, founded the Mali Empire, and the steps have been passed down from generation to generation in griot families. On such occasions, the performer can be a single person or a small troupe.
The dance is thought to call forth spirits and improve the griot's ability to deliver the story as planned. Because many African cultures and traditions are passed down through storytelling, dances like Lamban help to preserve cultural heritage.
5. Moribayasa Dance from the Malinke People in Guinea: The Moribayassa is a West African dance performed by the Malinke people. Guinea, Mali, and other West African countries perform it. When women need assistance with something very important, such as becoming pregnant or recovering from a sickness, they turn to the spirit of Moriba Yassa. The woman promises to dance the Moribayassa if her wish is granted.
The woman dresses in rags, messes up her hair, acts crazy, and dances to the beat of drums to perform the Moribayassa. The town's other women accompany her with djembe drummers. They dance around town several times, usually ending on the outskirts of town at an old tree (known as the Moribayassa). The woman then abandons the rags behind the tree or buries them there.
6. Ikpirikpi Ogu Dance (War Dance) in Nigeria: Ikpirikpi Ogu is a war dance from Nigeria's eastern region, specifically Abia state. The African dancers are mostly muscular men dressed in war costumes who sing and dance to honor fallen soldiers. Today, the dance is still performed symbolically at ceremonial events such as graduations to demonstrate victory and to uphold the past legacy.
In modern times, however, the dance is purely symbolic and is performed at important social and cultural occasions. The dance attempts to display the valour and virility of the performers who engage in muscle rippling dance moves to the admiration of all.
7. Mbira African Dance of Zimbabwe: Mbira is a ritual dance performed by the Shona culture in Zimbabwe. It serves the purpose of summoning the ancestral spirits during the bira ceremony. After the dance, the religious leaders start to intercede with the gods to bring rain and protect the land from evil.
The dance has received much attention from the public and tourists for its history. It has led to the formation of the MBIRA Organization, which supports ancient African dance traditions in Zimbabwe.
8. Yabara Dance of West Africa: Welcome dances are a display of respect and pleasure for visitors, as well as a display of how talented and attractive the host villagers are. Yabara is a West African Welcome Dance characterized by "The Beaded Net Covered Gourd Rattle." The female dancers throw it into the air at various heights to mark tempo and rhythm changes. This is a spectacular show because all of the dancers will throw and catch them at the same time.
9. Makua African Dance of Tanzania: Makua is a traditional Nyamwezi ceremonial dance performed by both men and women. It is performed in conjunction with traditional welcome songs to convey the message that the visitor is welcome.
This dance is well-known among the natives who entertain tourists in Makumbusho, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's most visited tourist attraction site. Makua dancers both preserve and entertain Tanzanian culture.
10. Bata Dance of Yoruba in South Western Nigeria: The Bata dance is a prominent traditional dance among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is a very entertaining performance done by professionals usually accompanied by music, songs, and chants. The dance is not just related to body movements, it is an expressive dance and rhythm relationship.
According to some accounts, the Bata dance is performed by Sango, the god of thunder and lightning, who is a tremendously strong, powerful, and athletic deity. Prehistorically, the dance was thought to be a means of communication between Sango and his worshippers. It's not surprising that the dancers try to imitate his character by doing the dance with their feet, hands, and shoulders.
The gymnastic energy of the dance, with its flashes and dashes accompanied by the thundering, rattling, and piercing sounds of Bata drums, pays homage to Sango, the flaming god. The Bata dance is now primarily performed to entertain religious and secular ceremonies. The twisting of the waist, bent knees, flat foot, trunk tilting, acrobatic steps, and expressive movements are some of the dance's characteristics.
Thank you for sticking till the end. What dance moves did you enjoy? Which ones are you going to try out? Kindly comment below.
Nice
Love it
Biko which one do you know how to dance here
But people have time to be dancing
The drums dey give me headache