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| Strictly African Dancing: Dances |
| Written by Administrator | |
| Sunday, 10 July 2005 | |
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These are the dances featured on Strictly African Dancing: Zulu Warrior Dance: South Africa 'Energetic and intimidating' Background Performed to celebrate victory, or to prepare for battle. The movements depict modes of attack and boasting of male prowess - moves simulate the dodging and attacking associated with facing an enemy. Look out for * Intimidating kick moves * The use of props should conjure images of battle, attack and defence Dancer Robbie Earle Ghana - Adzogbo Dance 'Acrobatic and impressive' Background Normally performed in two parts. The part for the woman serves as a curtain raiser for the more acrobatic and exciting male section. Atisa (the man's section) is performed as a way of showing off their agility, toughness and virtuosity. It's a real 'blokes' dance. Look out for * Bright skirts and leg warmers that hang from the knee. * Moves depicting typical 'blokey' activities like boxing, wrestling, bayonet charging and horse leaps. Dancer Louis Emerick Nigeria - Bata 'Graceful but energetic' Background Originates from the Yoruba people (The President's tribe). It's a worship dance to the God of thunder and lightning in which the arms and legs mimic the claps of thunder and forks of lightning. Jerky, angular, fast and rigorous movements symbolise the forceful nature of the deity. Long smocks are worn, which cover the feet and legs at first, but are lifted as part of the choreography revealing the intricate footwork of the dance. Look out for * Sharp, angular jerking of the shoulder to the command of the master drum. * Graceful but angular movements. * The ability of the dancer to react to the breaks in the drumbeats separates good Bata dancers from bad. Dancer Tunde Baiyewu Ghana - Gome 'Exciting celebration dance' Background This dance is recreational, and danced by the Ga speaking people who live around the capital city, Accra. It's performed by the women to celebrate the return of the men from fishing trips. These trips can sometimes take days, so on their return the women celebrate their catch. Look out for * Partners dancing together in the centre of a circle. * Outlandish moves like the man crawling under the woman's legs. Dancer Tessa Sanderson Nigeria - Koroso 'Courtship dance' Background From the Fulani of Northern Nigeria, they perform the dance with rattles on their feet. It starts slow and graceful and builds to a medium pace. It's about the beauty of the woman and the way in which they attract the men. The ladies wear a short blouse which doesn't quite cover the bosom, with a short wrap. The men wear hats and shorts. Look out for * The girls leading a series of jumping moves. * Circular moves - the dance moves in circles, but with the dancers facing forward all the time. Dancer Tupele Dorgu Senegal - Kuku 'Wild, stamina-based dance of the birds' Background This is a dance of celebration, normally performed at the end of the harvest. The moves imitate those of the birds, arms literally flap, and dancers should seem to fly. Look out for * Brisk, bird-like movements Dancer Antonia Okonma Burkina Faso - Le Duo 'A raindance' Background A rain dance, normally performed by Hunters in the early morning. It's believed that if the dance is performed with the wrong disposition, or in the wrong way, it won't have the desired effect. Each member of the troop takes their place in the centre of a circle to perform a 15 second solo. These solos include wild movements with legs and arms being flung all over the place, with the soloists bowing at the end to get tapped on the shoulder by other dancers. Dancer Group |
