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African dance essay
African dance essay
Importance of dance in culture
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Role of Culture and Community in African Dance
Africa is the world’s second largest continent and the most populous. There are 54 individual countries in Africa, which are located in either the western, eastern, southern, central or northern regions of the continent. Countries in Africa are well known for their different tradition and cultural practices that have been preserved for a very long time. Culture and tradition are important in African communities since members of different communities in Africa express themselves through their culture and traditions. One of the ways they express themselves is through their cultural dances.
Most African countries view dance as the best way to express themselves and, therefore, include movements that have true meaning in their dance routine. Among the movements included in African cultural dances are gestures, masks, costumes, body painting, and props (Wayne, 2010). By including these movements in their dance routines, dancers are able to communicate their messages to the audiences. Culture and community play a role in African dance are in Africa, “ dance is
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In the jumping dance, “young man will jump as high as he can while the others stand in a circle and sing. The voices of the men get higher as the jumping increases. In the Masai language, this dancing competition is called the "adumu" (Kenya-advisor.com). Among the Masai tribe, the “adumu” is historically performed during the “Eunoto”, which is a ten-day ceremony of singing, feasting, dancing, feasting and ritual. This ceremony celebrates the rite of passage where the Masai boys are initiated to be true Masai warriors. In addition to the unique dance, the Masai have a unique look which includes, “long hair painted rusty with a mix of ochre and fat, red robes, and large, stiff, beaded collars”( Spavento, 2013). Their unique look works in their favor as it emphasizes the height and hangtime for their
Before the Lindy-Hop became popular and long before tap dance was established in the United States, Black Bottom dance was popular among both Blacks and Whites in Harlem, New York. The dance craze, appropriated from the blacks in Harlem’s nightclubs, became a big rage when brought to the white community and put on stage. Black Bottom dance, also known as “Swanee Bottom” was an popular dance among lower class African Americans in the early 1900s. Beloved to be introduced by Alberta Hunter, a popular blues singer, Black Bottom was a dance that emerged from African American culture. Although Black Bottom is not a family recognizable dance today, the popularity of the dance at this time caused a great ripple in the dances that came later on down the line.
Considering descendants’ effort to bring this culture back in society, this entire dancing performance, masks, and the idea of interacting with the outside world must not have been merely correlated to their religious and spiritual ritual. It might have been their identity; a symbolic of their society which their ancestors had built and passed down to them.
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment provides visions into the many features of dance and inspires scholars to keep an open mind and think critically about the stimulating, bold, ever-changing and active world of dance. Learning about Dance is particularly useful for those who do not have a wide and diverse dance contextual, such as students in a preliminary level or survey dance course. This book consists of twelve chapters. Chapter one dance as an art form focuses on the basic structures of dance. Dance is displayed through the human body, it has the control to communicate and induce reactions. Dance can be found in many different places, it enables the participants and seekers to touch and knowledge the joy of movement. Dance is discovered as being one of the oldest art forms worldwide. Dance existed in early cultures was recognized in a sequence of rock paintings portrayed dance. Since this discovery of rock paintings, several other forms of art have been found that depict dance. People used rituals in order to worship the gods and believed that the rituals held magical and spiritual powers. During the ancient period civilizations sentient decisions began to be made with regard to dance. Other periods that had an impact on dance were the medieval period, the renaissance period, and the contemporary period. Chapter two the choreographer, the choreographer is a person who comes up with the movements created into a dance routine. The choreographer expresses themselves through choreography because this is their way of communicating with the audience. In order to be a choreographer you must have a passion for dance. Each choreographer has their own approaches and ways of making up a routine. Choreographers ...
Every dance that is created by a choreographer has a meaning and or purpose behind it. The dance choreographed could be used to send a political, emotional, or a social message. Regardless of the message being sent, each dance created possesses a unique cultural and human significance. This essay will examine and analyze two dance works from history and give an insight into what each dance work provided to the society of its time.
“Who knows only his own generation remains always a child.” This quote from George Norlin echoes the edification that cultural exposure can offer. How does African dance relate to do modern dance? The two are so heterogeneous in their make-up that one would not think of them as having similarities. The truth, however, is that all dance forms are linked in some way or another; they all strengthen and sharpen each other. Modern dance has its roots in African dance with the emphasis placed on the connection of weight and gravity. Brenda Dixon Gottschild names five aesthetics that are present in African dance. A particular piece that draws attention to the relation of the five aesthetics to modern dance is “Split Sides”, choreographed by Merce Cunningham.
What is Malay Dance? As I know, Malay dance culture has been shaped by its long history and its diverse geography. Malay dance in today’s society traditionally portrays the culture and customs of the Malays. It depicts their way of life. Over the four days of Malay Dance workshop conducted by Madam Som Said, it has allowed me to achieve a basic understanding of Malay dance and it made me researched more about Malay dance to have a deeper understanding in the cultural and historical context of Malay Dance. This essay will discuss the historical context and analysis of the general dance elements in Malay dance in relation to space, time and dynamics.
To conclude, one can say that dancing has been a true life saver for some of them because not only is it allowing them to express themselves but it also gives them another option than just being a gang member. Dancing also helps them express their passion for the art and it a form of spiritual connection, while connecting them to the African culture. They relieve all their stress and anger through dancing. Lastly, dancing give them a sense of pride and hope that life could get better with hard work and perseverance.
Angeles, Los. (2009). African arts. Volume 28. Published by African Studies Center, University of California.
Traditions are practices/beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. In traditional African societies, a kinship ties people through birth or marriage. There are two kinds of relationships in customary African tradition; those bound by blood, which are called consanguine, and those constructed by marriage, called affilial. There are four key descents that determine inheritance and marriage. However, the most common descent is patrilineal, which traces ancestry through one's father. While in America, we are vary tolerant of tracing our descent from both parents.
(Introduction page VI) When discussing musical traits of West Africa, it is explained as- Music and dance are a whole that cannot be separated – actually, there is no separate word for the two in most African languages. Music is considered communal and participatory, an oral tradition, rhythm privileged over melody and harmony as well as wide variety of instruments, especially percussion (ppt). Africa being the second most populous and second largest continent their musical traditions are noticeable by an array that reveals ethnic, national, and regional diversities. Music is primarily based on the indigenous traditions.
There were six different dances in the performance, each one different in their own cultural way. Dances like “Oshun, Goddess of Love” were based on actual beliefs. Oshun is the goddess of the rivers, fertility, abundance, and love among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The dance is a creative exploration of the meaning of Oshun as a force
Dance was also a big part in the music of West Africa. Dance was performed at ceremonies surrounding fertility, death, worship, adulthood, and other kind of certain concerns of the village.
African drumming has a long history, and the tradition of African drumming has spread throughout western cultures as many businesses, corporations and other groups see the team building value of playing music together. These tribal instruments still have importance throughout African culture but are also becoming more common in western societies.
The sun is out, the weather is hot, and there is a grand celebration taking place, like any other celebration in the world there is food, dance, and music. But this is not an ordinary celebration this is a celebration on the great plains of Africa where the beats of both high and low pitch drums stomp thru the air. The speed of the drums races against the speed of one’s dancing heart accelerating then reverting back to a deep steady thump. In Africa, drumming is a widely use instrument and form of music. Drums are usually the primary instrument used at celebrations in musical selections in Africa. African drums vary in different shapes, sounds, and pitches each with its own particular sound. Unlike here in the United States, where drums are
“Dance, the art of precise, expressive, and graceful human movement, traditionally, but not necessarily, performed in accord with musical accompaniment. Dancing developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action.”