Collection Africa
Explore a rich tapestry of music, dance, drumming, and theater performances and conversations ranging across a number of countries and regions in Africa.
Five(ish) Minute Dance Lessons: African Dance
Learn the history and basics of African dance
African dance refers to a wide variety of dances and movement styles performed in those countries located south of the Sahara Desert. Dancer Rujeko Dumbutshena and drummer Farai Malianga introduce traditional rhythms and movements from their native country Zimbabwe.
Before you get started, think about what you already know about different types of dance. Keep this in mind as you explore the videos.
Lesson Content
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Rhythm of the Drum
Rhythm is the driving force behind African dance and many styles can immediately be identified by their characteristic rhythmic beats. Dancers respond to percussive patterns created by drummers, who in turn respond to the dancers. It is a dialogue assisted by spectators who participate in the performance by clapping or stamping their feet. Dancers are judged by how well they are able to follow the rhythm.
African dance is polyrhythmic, meaning that different rhythms are expressed using various parts of the body. The chest, pelvis, arms, and legs may all have their own rhythm, but be moving at the same time. The complexity and challenge of African dance stems from this use of the whole body.
Your Own Interpretation
Some African villages have dance masters who train young students in their region’s dance styles. Students are expected to learn the steps exactly as they are taught. Once the dance is mastered, however, it is possible to improvise and add new patterns within a particular dance style. Dancers may even engage in friendly competitions with each other or with a lead drummer, pushing them to even more creative interpretations and quick responses.
Additional African Dance Videos
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A Sense of Community
There’s no doubt about it—dance brings people together. This is especially true of African dance, which is an expression of communal life. Dance helps individuals know their roles in the community and helps pass on cultural values and a sense of identity.
Why Dance?
Special events: Dances are performed for a variety of life events, including births, funerals, and coming of age. These dances bring community members together to support individuals who are undergoing a critical life change.
Social values: A dancer must learn how to lead, follow, and be part of a group. Dances for girls are often separate from those for boys, reinforcing cultural gender roles.
Expressing skills: Warrior dances train young men in strength, agility, balance, and timing. Work dances demonstrate skills needed for different occupations. For example, “fishermen” from Nigeria have net-throwing gestures in their dances, while “hunters” may mime animal movements and their capture. Everyday work actions are also included, like hanging out the wash or shaking a basket.
Social recreation or ritual celebration: Dances can be done simply for fun, or to give thanks to the gods for a good harvest or a successful hunting expedition.
In addition, dance gatherings are deemed successful if they create cohesiveness in the community. Attitude is important: A dancer’s social skills are just as valued as his or her technical skills.
The Dances of Africa
The climate and conditions where people live is reflected in the dances they perform. For example, the Ijo people of the Niger Delta fish in rivers, creeks, and wet mangrove forests. When they dance, they bend forward with their torso almost parallel to the earth, and step lightly with quick precision, as if picking their way through a swamp.
In contrast, those Africans living on open savannahs reflect the expansive space they live in and farm. When they dance, they use a wide stance by placing their feet firmly on the solid soil.
You may want to research other groups from Africa and find out more about how their dance traditions reflect their traditional way of life.
Check out:
- Maasai people
- The Yoruba people
- The Jukun people
Resources to Explore
Resources on African dance, and dance-drumming
http://www.alokli.com
Find information on drumming and dancing
http://www.djenbefola.com
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Writer
Kirsten Bodensteiner
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Editor
Lisa Resnick
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Producer
Kenny Neal
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Published
September 6, 2019
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Want to understand how dance works? Learn the five elements that make up the foundation of this art form: body, action, time, space, and energy.
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