Many countries have ceremonial and national dances but African traditional dances are quite different. These dances carry historical and social significance. To this day today, local communities are able to tell the rich history of their country through their own unique dances. These dances give the special events and festivals celebrated in Africa more meaning.
Dances and music are used as an expression of stories, feelings, and history. Each tribe in Africa has its own unique and significant traditional dances.
Two very important components of the dances are the African drum and human voices. The trained singers of the tribes used complicated arrangements and harmony to set the rhythm and pace for the dances. Despite the differences between tribes, in general, the drum binds them all together.
Some Basic Traditional African Dances:
Adzohu - this is a historical and sacred dance that was originally performed as spiritual preparation before a war. However, in today's times, it is performed only mainly for social and cultural events. The dancers wear colourful hats, bells, ankle raffia, and waist cloth. It is said that the dance reinforces cultural identity and builds self-respect to counter Western influence.
Agbekor - this is one of many war dances. This one in particular is performed by the Ewe and Foh peopleduring funerals and in cultural or social events. The dance movements of Agbekor show battlefield tactics like hand combat, surprise attacks, and scouting.
NanDom Bawa - this dance is performed as a thanksgiving, prayer, and celebration dance. It was first done by the Lobi people.
Tokoe - this is a coming of age celebration dance for Ga-Adangme girls. The newly eligible women are presented to the tribe with stylish movements learned in puberty.
Adumu - this is similar to the Tokoe but it is for warriors that have come of age
Traditional African dances can be boiled down to five basic types - the welcome dance, love or celebration dance, coming of age, possession or summoning dance, and warrior dance. The names are quite self-explanatory.
Some welcome dances like Gahu, Anyako Atsia, and Kinka are performed by villagers to show-off their versatile talents.
For Africans, movement is a great way of communicating with others. Because of this, the dances often utilize symbolic mime, gestures, masks, props, visual devices, and body painting. Most of the basic movements of African dances emphasize the use of torso, upper body, and feet. There are also complex dances that use intricate action and various body parts. Team dances are common but there are also times when the dance involves 2-4 individuals taking turns on the dancing ring. There are also different formations used by the dancers like columns, serpentine, circular, and linear.
Ije Uma is the voice behind http://www.africanweddingtraditions.com/african-dances.html A lover of weddings and all things matrimonial. She specializes in guiding couples in the planning and execution of exquisite theme weddings. Her expertise is in weddings that celebrate a couple's heritage.
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