Page 65 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 14

Art & Culture

and pack the earth with jumping
and stomping movements. Along
with being a powerful expression
of emotion, the dance also serves a
practical purpose. The Igogo is dif-
ferent from the Mbira dance of the
Shona people of Zimbabwe which
is used to summon ancestors, honor
death anniversaries and seek guid-
ance in tribal and family disputes.
The two dances differ somewhat
NORBERT in purpose, but both communicate
meaning in a deep manner to the

MPOROTO performers and the observers, and
moreover captures the unique iden-
tity of both societies.
Poet and Author from Tanzania.
Instagram: @norbert_mporoto I ask in soliloquy; Where is African
Facebook: Norbert Mporoto dance? Why are her people no lon-
ger practicing it? Why is Africa no
longer proud of her culture? Why is dance, communicating one’s inner-
African dance given false meaning most being. (amakhonows.co.za).
by her rivals and why should we Umzansi is a warrior dance, demon-
accept their ways of describing our strating the power and passion of
own dance? African dance gives the Zulu warrior. Whatever was lost
history, entertainment, prayers, rites birth to warriors, African dance up- in transition as lifestyles changed
of passage, harvest, wedding cele- lifts and entertain the broken souls in South Africa and the warriors
brations and much more. In some and much more it portrays messages transformed into migrant workers –
African civilizations there are special of victory! was retained in the memory of the
authorities whose sole purpose is dance and used to remind the urban
to pass along the tribe’s traditional What Adumu (a Maasai jumping warriors of their true history. Again,
dances. dance) communicates is a message I ask in soliloquy “Where are the
African dance occupies a central of readiness. Adumu has become strong African men whose pride is
place in cultures throughout the the favorite dance of tourists visit- to conquer enemies and protect this
African continent, embodying ing Kenya and Northern Tanzania, continent? Who will secure Africa’s
energy and elegant splendor in their but it is much more than a dance land if rhythms of courage are left
flowing rhythms. African dance is a that entertains. Adumu showcases behind? What would be the songs
self-sufficient language which helps the stamina and strength of the of victory if soldiers are tricky-
to strengthen bonds and preserve young Moran (warriors) who are skilled to hate African rhythms?
cultural heritages. Through dance, transitioning to become senior
a community’s identity is reflected warriors. Adumu is one part of the When the spear says, “Kill”, the
(Published with permission from the governor's office)
in the singing and the pulsating 10-day long Eunoto ceremony, the hunting bag says, “Let’s go home!”
musical rhythms and dance styles. coming-of-age ritual that will also al- We have lost the battle in the
Through these, the entire communi- low the Moran to choose wives and dance field, it’s our duty to take the
ty strengthens their bonds and keeps begin the next phase of their lives. hunting bag back home and learn
alive the memory of their cultural A dance similar to Adumu is the to sing the African songs and dance
wealth. the African styles once again. After
Umzansi. This is the most energetic
of all Zulu dances and is divided the welcome tune has taken us to
For example, the Igogo dance of into a slow and fast section, the our seats, the Kakilambe dance of
Owo Yoruba is performed during slow segment uses movement to Guinea and Mali remind us of the
burial ceremonies. During the tell a story, while the fast one is African fertility rituals and we are
Igogo, young men dance over the aggressive, powerful, full of anger duty-bound to celebrate the next
grave of the one being laid to rest African Kings and Queens with
and pride. Drums are crucial to this

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