tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62335190363360348832023-11-15T08:00:11.334-08:00ZUMALAYAHZumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-13196222564182455002013-05-07T05:53:00.002-07:002018-08-24T10:13:36.566-07:00Foot Stomping Dances Around The WorldEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post presents videos of footstomping dance movement from various nations around the world. <br />
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The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in no particular order).<br />
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Example #1: Gumboot Dancers in Cape Town<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iSgFAG0mtac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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simonleherUploaded on Jul 27, 2007 <br />
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Filmed in Cape Town January 2007, these Gumboot Dancers were brilliant!<br />
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Example #2: 10th Pacific Festival of Arts - Fiji 2 <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgIWObNVd1k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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jkb1904Uploaded on Apr 13, 2009 <br />
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Dancers from Fiji at the 10th Pacific Festival of Arts in American Samoa, 2008.<br />
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Example #3: Mogwana Dance Troupe - Botswana <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jKoFRDhh-nc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Rouvanne van den Berg, Uploaded on Feb 18, 2007 <br />
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The Mogwana Dance Troupe is a group of professional artistes based in Gaborone, Botswana.<br />
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They specialise in traditional music, song and dance of indigenous ethnic groups of Botswana and the southern Africa in general.<br />
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This dance is commonly known as Phathisi, referring to the pieces of skin and rags tied to the legs which are slapped to sound like a drum. It is generally performed in happy times, such as at harvest, by herd-boys.<br />
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Example #4: <br />
Alpha Kappa Alpha 1st Place Winners for Chicago Sprite Step Off [United States]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r7ErwbvUnu0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Gowhere Hip Hop, Uploaded on Jan 25, 2010 <br />
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Example #5: <br />
WSSU CHEERLEADERS GETTIN' CRUNK <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GyRaRAge3PE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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ORIGINALCHEERPHI, Uploaded on Feb 22, 2008 <br />
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WSSU CHEERLEADERS SHOWING U HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE AT THE ULTIMATE CHEER & DANCE EXPERIENCE TRIAD HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING COMPETITION 2007<br />
-snip-<br />
WSSU = Winston Salem State University (North Carolina, USA)<br />
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RELATED LINKS<br />
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Click this link to a zumalayah post: <a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/indlamu-dance-that-ladysmith-black.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/indlamu-dance-that-ladysmith-black.html</a><br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos, to the producers of these videos, and to the video's publishers on YouTube.<br />
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Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
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Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-14071675437267925232013-04-28T06:35:00.108-07:002020-12-17T21:17:01.138-08:00The Venda Python Dance (information & videos) Edited by Azizi Powell<br /><br />Latest revision- December 18, 2020<br />
<br /><span style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">This Zumulayah post presents videos that suggest some similarities between the Venda (South African) female initiation dance known as the python dance and the very close contact processional formation used by some historically Black Greek lettered sororities' probate groups when those groups enter the performance area for their probate* show.</span><br style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.</span><br style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">All copyrights remain with their owners.</span><br style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><div style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Thanks to Venda people of South Africa. Thanks to all the performers featured in these videos. Thanks also to the authors & commenters whose comments are featured in this post and thanks to the uploaders of the featured videos.</div>
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br /><div style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">ZUMULAYAH'S EDITOR'S NOTE<br /> This Zumulayah post is meant to point out the similarities in these historically Black Greek letter sorority vertical line formations, and not to assert that the Venda dance was the source for this type of probate processional formation. That said, I believe that it's quite possible that the South African Venda female initiation dance might have been the inspiration or one of the inspirations for this historically Black sorority vertical line formation.<br /><br /></div><div style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Here's a definition of "probate" in the context of sororities & fraternities: A probate is a show that introduces new members of a sorority (or fraternity) to other members of their sorority (or fraternity), to other "Greeks", to family, friends, and to other onlookers. For historically Black sororities and fraternities, probate shows heavily involve the performance art of stepping. </div><div style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br />Traditionally, Black Greek lettered fraternities also appear to have a formation in which they stand close to the person in front of them and sing or chant. However, in the videos I've seen the men lock arms but don't rest their head on the back of the person standing in front of them, nor do they hold hands with the person in front of & behind them. Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdgwjN11AyY" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdgwjN11AyY</a> "Zoom Zoom" (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity) for an example of this type of close fraternity vertical line formation.<br /><br />My guess is that the very close line formation symbolizes the group's unity. The ability to act as one body that is demonstrated by the group's synchronized movements may symbolizes the cohesiveness that was forged as a result of the individuals' experiences of becoming members of their group. Also, the group's moving forward with their eyes closed and/or with their heads resting on their sister's back and being led by one member may represents the group's trust in each other, and especially their trust in that lead sister. Furthermore, the group moving forward in spite of their tiredness highlights the importance of the goal and the value of perseverance to reach that goal..<br /><br />It's possible that the Venda python dance also has those meanings in addition to the cultural meanings which were given in the above quote about that dance.<br />-snip-<br />This same post was originally published at <br /><a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/similarities-between-venda-python-dance_7.html"> http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/similarities-between-venda-python-dance_7.html</a> . <br /><br /></div><div style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Visit pancocojams for other posts of the subject of Venda Domba dance and the subject of historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities probates. <br /><br />****</div>INFORMATION ABOUT THE VENDA<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venda_people">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venda_people</a> [hereafter given as Wikipedia- Venda] <br />"The Venda (VhaVenda or Vhangona) are a Southern African
Bantu people living mostly near the South African-Zimbabwean border.<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Venda people share ancestry with Lobedu people and Kalanga
people. They are also related to Sotho-Tswana and Shona groups."...<br /><br />****<br />From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venda">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venda</a><br />"Venda (/ˈvɛndə/) was a Bantustan in northern South Africa,
which is fairly close to the South African border with Zimbabwe to the north,
while to the south and east, it shared a long border with another black
homeland, Gazankulu. It is now part of the Limpopo province [of the nation of South Africa]. Venda was founded
as a homeland by the South African government for the Venda people, speakers of
the Venda language.[4] The United Nations and international community refused
to recognise Venda (or any other Bantustan) as an independent state.".. <br />-snip-<br />I added the words in brackets to further explain the end of that sentence.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>****<br /><div style="background-color: #fcffee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">DESCRIPTION OF THE VENDA PYTHON DANCE & ITS SIMILARITY TO THE HISTORICALLY BLACK SORORITY PROBATE ENTRANCE FORMATION<br />I'm not sure if there is a standard name or any name for the commonly performed historically Black (African American) sorority probate (new members) entrance march which is the focus of this post. However, that very close contact vertical line formation is very similar to that which is described for the Venda people's "python dance" at Domba initiation rituals.<br /><br />****<br />INFORMATION ABOUT THE VENDA PYTHON DANCE <br />Here is information about the symbolism of the Venda python
dance (also known as the Venda "Domba" dance:<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>[Note: On December 17, 2020 I replaced the original excerpt
that was included in this post for the excerpt given below.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> From 2008 pdf by Kent D. Fowler, University of Manitoba
entitled "Social Memory and the Antiquity of Python and Crocodile
Symbolism in Southern Africa"</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">..."Pythons, on the other hand, are directly associated
with leadership in Shona, Venda and Zulu cultures. In Venda court art, python
and crocodile imagery are paired, with crocodile images in the centre
surrounded by those of pythons (Huffman 1996:89). In the Venda “python dance”,
the same structure is found. Initiates dance in an undulating line emulating a
python encircling a pool represented by the central court. In this context, the
python is the “snake of the water”, a metaphor for female fertility. Pythons
are also paired with the mountain imagery of chiefs and referred to as “snake
of the mountain”. On some hilltops, it is believed that pythons guard the
entrance of caves that contain pools that are portals to the world of ancestors
(Huffman 1996:91). When linked to chieftainship and hilltops, pythons are the
“snake of the mountain” and invoke linked metaphors for rainmaking, young and
junior men, and male virility."...<br />-snip-<br />Click <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/pdf-excerpt-about-symbolism-of-pythons.html">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/pdf-excerpt-about-symbolism-of-pythons.html</a>
for the pancocojams post entitled "PDF Excerpt About The Symbolism Of
Pythons And Crocodiles In Venda (South African) Culture". Additional
statements about this subject are included in the comment section of that post.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, click
<a href="Here is information about the symbolism of the Venda python dance (also known as the Venda "Domba" dance: [Note: On December 17, 2020 I replaced the original excerpt that was included in this post for the excerpt given below.] From 2008 pdf by Kent D. Fowler, University of Manitoba entitled "Social Memory and the Antiquity of Python and Crocodile Symbolism in Southern Africa" ..."Pythons, on the other hand, are directly associated with leadership in Shona, Venda and Zulu cultures. In Venda court art, python and crocodile imagery are paired, with crocodile images in the centre surrounded by those of pythons (Huffman 1996:89). In the Venda “python dance”, the same structure is found. Initiates dance in an undulating line emulating a python encircling a pool represented by the central court. In this context, the python is the “snake of the water”, a metaphor for female fertility. Pythons are also paired with the mountain imagery of chiefs and referred to as “snake of the mountain”. On some hilltops, it is believed that pythons guard the entrance of caves that contain pools that are portals to the world of ancestors (Huffman 1996:91). When linked to chieftainship and hilltops, pythons are the “snake of the mountain” and invoke linked metaphors for rainmaking, young and junior men, and male virility."... -snip- Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/pdf-excerpt-about-symbolism-of-pythons.html for the pancocojams post entitled "PDF Excerpt About The Symbolism Of Pythons And Crocodiles In Venda (South African) Culture". Additional statements about this subject are included in the comment section of that post. Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/traditional-performance-and.html for the 2020 pancocojams post entitled "Contemporary Changes In Where and How The Venda (South African) Domba Dance (also known as the Python Dance) Is Performed". **** Additional comments about the python dance that are performed at the Domba are found below the video that is given as "Video #1" in this post.">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/traditional-performance-and.html </a>for
the 2020 pancocojams post entitled "Contemporary Changes In Where and How
The Venda (South African) Domba Dance (also known as the Python Dance) Is
Performed".</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">****<br />Additional comments about the python dance that are
performed at the Domba are found below the video that is given as "Video
#1" in this post.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Two of the YouTube videos of that dance (given here as Videos #1 & #2) show the female in the front of the line with one or both of her hands held out to suggest a snake's head. The faces of the females in the line are expressionless and their eyes are closed. Each woman behind the woman at the head of the line lays her head on the back of the woman in front of them. The impression I got from the dance that the woman were very tired and were slowly walking forward in their sleep. Occasionally, the right arms and then the left arms of the entire group rhythmically undulate in a synchronized manner as the group slowly proceeds across the floor.</p>Judging from YouTube videos of historically Black Greek lettered sororities that I have watched, the line formation described above but without the undulating arm movement, appears to be commonly used as the entrance procession for most Black Greek lettered sorority probates. <br /><br />I've not reviewed many videos of the five historically Black Greek lettered fraternities to determine if each of those organizations have a similar close contact formation for their probates or their other members. However, I came across this video of a similar formation by members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdgwjN11AyY" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdgwjN11AyY"</a>. In this video the men stand very close together with locked arms and without moving away from their spot. The first man in line doesn't fold his hands in a triangle position, and the men after the first person in line don't lay their head on the person in front of them.</div><div><br /></div>****<br />VIDEOS OF THE VENDA PYTHON DANCE (AT VENDA DOMBAS)<br />
Video #1: Domba <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-q93_dIKDw8?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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bigbluemeanie, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2006 <br />
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The famous Domba initiation dance of the Venda tribe of Southern Africa<br />
-snip-<br />
Here are two comments from this video's viewer comment thread:<br />
filato22, 2010 <br />
you can say that again its more zululized than venda. proudly venda<br />
-snip-<br />
bigbluemeanie, 2012 <br />
..."Domba was the third and final phase in Venda girls' initiation, which should have been attended after a girl had been to vhusha and tshikanda. It took place every three to five years at the head-quarters of chiefs and certain senior headman, and lasted for about one year. Its importance to the Venda was marked by the use of the bass drum (ngoma), which was also used in tshikona, the Venda national dance. There were a number of special rites and shows associated with domba…<br />
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Video #2: UMOJA - The Spirit of Togetherness Part 2<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2mBHB-r3eQA?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Mrbobodigital, Uploaded on Mar 23, 2011 <br />
-snip-<br />
The Domba dance is from 2:17 to 3:50 of this video.<br />
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The description of this dance given as a subtitle in this video is "initiation dance for young women when they reach womenhood".<br />
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Video #3: Domba La Africa <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E5M3PmJ-02Q?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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dombalaafrica, Uploaded on Feb 26, 2010 <br />
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Traditional Dance Group based in Soweto. Founded by the Late Co-founder of the Soweto Gospel Choir and Musical Director David Mulovhedzi<br />
-snip-<br />
The Domba dance is performed in this video from .53 to 1:01 and the video ends with a still photograph of that dance.<br />
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Video #4: venda dance <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4eCtr3-0WLc?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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nkosiafrika, Uploaded on May 13, 2010 <br />
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great va venda mothers proudly dance @a wddng in soweto south africa<br />
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RELATED VIDEOS<br />
Here are links to two other traditional Venda dances:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e-hSuDsDc0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e-hSuDsDc0</a><br />
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Venda women perform Malende traditional dance <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUVkQFhdp3Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUVkQFhdp3Y</a><br />
Tshikona traditional Venda dance <br />
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Note: These links aren't meant to imply that these are the only other traditional Venda dances.<br />
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****<br />Thanks for visiting Zumulayah.<br />
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Visitor commentsa are welcome. Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-64592675445173108542013-04-15T05:45:00.002-07:002017-08-11T06:35:57.779-07:00The Electric Slide In The USA, The Caribbean, And In AfricaEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post presents information about the Electric Slide line dance and showcases selected videos of that dance. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELECTRIC SLIDE<br />
The Electric Boogie is a song that was written by Jamaican Reggae artist Bunny Wailer. That song was first recorded in 1976 by Bunny Wailer & Marcia Griffiths and was released again in 1989 by Marcia Griffiths.<br />
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According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Slide">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Slide</a> "The Electric aka The Electric Slide is a four wall line dance that was created by choreographer Ric Silver in 1976. <br />
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In the United States, the Electric Slide is a highly participatory dance. When that record comes on at weddings, parties, and other social gatherings, the expectation is that a lot of people, regardless of gender or age, will come on to the dance floor and join in that danc.anyone who wants to join in that dance. It should be noted that the Electric Slide isn't just a feature at African American social gatherings, but is also done by White Americans and Americans of other races & ethnicities. While the Electric Slide dance was first done to Marcia Griffiths' "Electric Boogie", particularly among African Americans the 1986 record "Candy" by the Funk group Cameo appears to be the record that is most often played for that dance. This is due in part to that record being used for the Electric Slide scene at the end of the American movie "The Best Man" <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168501/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168501/</a>. A video of that scene is given below as Example #1. <br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(The geographical location, including nation if known, is given in brackets after the video's title.)<br />
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Example #1: Terrence Howard in dance scene 'The Best Man' [USA]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6w8Ql1PMUoQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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kiowasioux1980,Published on Jul 24, 2012 <br />
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Terrence Howard cutting the rug in this dance scene 3 3 3<br />
-snip-<br />
The "3"s are a way of writing smiles.<br />
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Example #2: Rob Charlemagne's 50th Birthday [USA]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KuYVCVg5QDg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Pamela Rene, Uploaded on Dec 6, 2010<br />
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Cameo - Electric slide<br />
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-snip-<br />
Notice the “Go shortie. It’s your birthday” chant that is said in the beginning of this video, but not in the record. The chant "Go (person's name). It's your birthday" comes from the 1994 Hip-Hop record by Luke Campbell entitled “It’s Your Birthday”. Since that record’s release, that phrase has been frequently used for birthdays by some African Americans, often before or after the standard "Happy Birthday" song. The word "go" in this phrase means "Do your thing". Do what you're doing well". A "shortie" can mean a child or a young person. Therefore, the word "shortie" in the phrase "Go shortie" doesn't necessarily mean "a short person", although it probably means that in this instance. <br />
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Example #3: Nigeria/Jamaica Wedding/ Electric Slide Dance! USA [USA Nigeria/Jamaican wedding] <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1KlzNv7ZfYo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Nigeria Liberty Forum, Uploaded on Apr 18, 2009<br />
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Nigerian Man weds Jamaican Lady in New Ark, New Jersey USA. <br />
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Nigerian Ayorinde and Krystal brought out the best in the African- Caribbean culture and a mix of the sha sha dance! 17th April 2009.<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's an interesting comment from this video's viewer comment thread <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KlzNv7ZfYo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KlzNv7ZfYo</a><br />
darknhansum4lyfe, 2010 <br />
"Nice, no matter what kind of gathering we as black people have it's one song gauranteed to play and mostly everyone join. Yesss! The Electric Slide,lol. Sometimes, you got to get gizzy with it and take it to the floor,lol, if your bones and joints will let you. LOL"<br />
-snip-<br />
"Get gizzy" means to do really good dance moves. "Take it to the floor" means to dip down close to the floor.<br />
<br />
****<br />
Example #4: Quelbe Slide [The Caribbean - United States Virgin Islands]<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6kzqe_tQyCU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
d1spoonky, Uploaded on Mar 16, 2011<br />
<br />
Quelbe (Electric) Slide @ Agricultural Fair 2011...People Dancing the Electric Slide Crucian Style!!! <br />
-snip-<br />
"Quelbe" is the national music of the Virgin Islands. "Crucian" = the people who live in St Croix, Virgin Islands.<br />
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**** <br />
Example #5: Sheila and Eli Wedding Electric Slide Dance [The Caribbean - The Dominican Republic]<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/srVs4cJgCOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>.<br />
<br />
Syyeary Uploaded on Dec 10, 2009<br />
<br />
Wedding Dance, Sheila and Eli, Electric Slide at their wedding reception at the Majestic Elegance Resort in the Domincan Republic<br />
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Example #6: Candy Dance at Nana & Russell Nii Odartei's engagment party [Africa - Ghana]<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/umWssY2Akoo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Uploaded on Oct 13, 2009<br />
<br />
10-10-09 will always stay in my mind, because that's the day Nana & Russell Odartei Evans had their traditional wedding at home. Then in the evening they had what will go down as the best engagement party ever!!!! & the crowning was everyone joined in the CANDY DANCE !!!.<br />
-snip-<br />
"Ghanaian engagment parties" = wedding<br />
<br />
****<br />
Example #7: African Electric Slide [Africa - Nigeria]<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e5Zc37H5Nxg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Efosa Igbinovia, Uploaded on Sep 27, 2011<br />
<br />
Electric Slide 9ja style!!! Hahaha loved this<br />
-snip-<br />
9ja = "Naija" is a colloquial referent for Nigeria. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11447252">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11447252</a> "Nigeria at 50: What does Naija mean?" October 2010 <br />
<br />
Judging from their clothing, hat and their red beaded necklace, these men are from the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria. Notice that in contrast to the usual response to this song in the USA, the two men dance the Electric Slide alone.<br />
Also, in Nigeria, "engagement party" also mean "wedding".<br />
<br />
<br />
****<br />
RELATED LINKS<br />
<a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/history-of-electric-slide.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/history-of-electric-slide.html</a> History Of The Electric Slide<br />
**<br />
<a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/selected-videos-of-electric-slide.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/selected-videos-of-electric-slide.html</a> Selected Videos Of The Electric Slide<br />
<br />
****<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos & congratulations to all those in the videos who were celebrating weddings or birthdays or some other special occassion. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-70554071872852651962013-04-14T06:31:00.002-07:002017-08-11T06:36:19.693-07:00Quadrille Dancing In The CaribbeanEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This post presents information about the Quadrille dance, and seven videos of that dance in various Caribbean nations.<br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT THE QUADRILLE<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrille">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrille</a><br />
"Quadrille is a historic dance performed by four couples in a rectangular formation, and a precursor to traditional square dancing. It is also a style of music...<br />
<br />
The term quadrille came to exist in the 17th century, within military parades, in which four horsemen and their mounts performed special square-shaped formations or figures. The word quadrille is probably derived from the Spanish word cuadrillo (Spanish diminutive of cuadro, meaning small square from Latin quadrus, quadra, quadratus meaning square, block or square section, squared or square-shaped, respectively...<br />
<br />
This performance became very popular, which led people to perform a quadrille without horses. In the 18th Century (estimated around 1740) the quadrille evolved more and more in an intricate dance, with its foundation in dances like cotillions. It was introduced in France around 1760, and later in England around 1808 by a woman known as Miss Berry. It was introduced to the Duke of Devonshire and made fashionable by 1813. In the following years it was taught to the upper classes, and around 1816 many people could dance a quadrille."<br />
-snip-<br />
Click this link for a video of one style of Quadrille dancing in Europe <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JPrMGiGJdo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JPrMGiGJdo</a><br />
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****<br />
FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first. The Caribbean nation from which the dancers come is given in parenthesis after the video's title.)<br />
<br />
Example #1: Quadrille Dancing in Choiseul, St. Lucia (St. Lucia)<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hh6cWrA2DKg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Uploaded by TameronEaton on Mar 6, 2008<br />
<br />
This video shows traditional St. Lucia Quadrille dancing performed by the Dugard Primary students at the 2008 Choiseul Village Council swearing in ceremony. The students are wearing the St. Lucia flag colors rather than the traditional red plaid outfits known at madras.<br />
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Example #2: Quadrille Dancers 14th June 2008 (Dominica)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jp_LuCdSH7k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
UniquelyDominican, Uploaded on Jun 15, 2008 <br />
<br />
<a href="http://dominican-diaspora.com">http://dominican-diaspora.com</a> - Dominica Oversea Nationals Association (DONA) -Quadrille Dancers<br />
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Example #3: Free Style Quadrille St. Croix, U. S.. Virgin Islands. (United States Virgin Islands)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P5f7Fs_dz9Y?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
d1spoonky, Uploaded on Mar 17, 2011<br />
<br />
The Dancers went and got people from the audience to participate in the Quadrille dancing @ the Agricultural Fair 2011<br />
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Example #4 Parade de Quadrille au Lamentin (Guadeloupe)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UrMVRM7NEls?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Mrclarisma, Uploaded on Jun 21, 2011<br />
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Le Quadrille guadeloupéen ; au travers de notre histoire et de nos activités artistiques, nous mettons en avant le patrimoine cultutrel de la guadeloupe.<br />
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Example #5: Quadrille Guadeloupéen. La boulangère Dansée par DYNAMIQUE CLUB (Guadeloupe)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3siF6xvvBNI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Mrclarisma, Uploaded on Sep 19, 2011<br />
<br />
L'Association Dynamique Cub perpétue la tradition dans le domaine artistique et culturel Guadeloupéen.<br />
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Example #6: Haute-Taille, quadrille de la Martinique.avi (Martinique)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASij6z7Hbzs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
tchaykorossol, Uploaded on Jan 2, 2012<br />
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[This video's lengthy summary statement is in French]<br />
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Example #7: We Deh Ya Cultural Dancers (United States Virgin Islands)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T05_jiQDwZU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
EyesbyJe1, Published on Apr 29, 2012<br />
<br />
"We Deh Ya" Cultural Dancers performing at the St. Thomas' 2012 Food Fair celebrating 60 years of Carnival [Virgin Islands]<br />
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RELATED LINKS<br />
<br />
Click this link for a video of quadrille dancing in Jamaica: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5oGKbKbPQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5oGKbKbPQ</a>.<br />
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**** <br />
Click this page of my cultural website for other videos of Caribbean folk dances: <br />
<a href="http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-dances">http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-dances</a><br />
<br />
****<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to those who choreographed these dances and those who provided information about this dance. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-39551121100674062772013-04-12T14:16:00.002-07:002017-08-11T06:36:50.136-07:00Information & Videos Of An African Traditional Dance From Zimbabwe (Mbende, Jerusarema)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This post presents three videos of a Zimbabwewan traditional dance called "Mbende". That dance is also known as "Jerusarema". <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MBENDE DANCE<br />
From <a href="http://ahenbadance.piczo.com/dancesandmeaning?cr=1">http://ahenbadance.piczo.com/dancesandmeaning?cr=1</a> African Dances And Their Meanings <br />
Dances from Zimbabwe<br />
Mbende<br />
"Mbende also known as Jerusarema, comes from the Zezuru people of western Mashobaland of Zimbabwe. Originally, this dance was performed exclusively during the marriage ceremony of a chief's daughter but it is now open to all men and women of marrying age. The dance movements are "sexual in nature"; mimicking courtship and sexual encounters but at the same time exhibiting sexual prowess of both men and women."<br />
-snip-<br />
Additional information about this traditional Zimbabwean dance is found in the summary statement of the video given as Example #1 of this post.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)<br />
<br />
Example #1: The Mbende Jerusarema Dance <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltiDSchYzwY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltiDSchYzwY</a><br />
unesco, Uploaded on Sep 28, 2009<br />
Embedding disabled by request<br />
<br />
UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - 2008<br />
URL: <a href=”http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/RL/”>http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/RL/</a>.<br />
Description: The Mbende Jerusarema Dance is a popular dance style practiced by the Zezuru Shona people living in eastern Zimbabwe, especially in the Murewa and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe districts. <br />
<br />
The dance is characterized by acrobatic and sensual movements by women and men, driven by a polyrhythmic drummer accompanied by men playing woodblock clappers and by women handclapping, yodelling and blowing whistles. Unlike other drum-based East African dance styles, the MbendeJerusarema does not rely on intricate foot stamping or a large number of drummers. Instead, the music is performed by one master drummer, and no songs or lyrics are involved. <br />
<br />
In the course of the dance, men often crouch while jerking both arms and vigorously kicking the ground with the right leg in imitation of a burrowing mole. The dances curious name reveals much about its vicissitudes over the centuries. Before colonial rule, this ancient fertility dance was called Mbende, the Shona word for mole, which was regarded as a symbol of fertility, sexuality and family. Under the influence of Christian missionaries, who strongly disapproved of this sexually explicit dance, the dances name was changed to Jerusarema, deriving from the Shona adaptation of the name of the city of Jerusalem, to endow it with a religious connotation. Both names are commonly used today. In spite of its condemnation by the missionaries, the dance remained popular and became a source of pride and identity in the struggle against colonial rule. <br />
<br />
The dance is changing its character and meaning as its enactment as an exotic animation for tourist audiences becomes more widespread. It is also increasingly used at political party rallies, where it is removed from all its original intentions. The mitumba drum, rattles and whistles, which used to accompany the dance, have successively been replaced by instruments of poor quality, contributing to the loss of the uniqueness of the Mbende music.<br />
Country(ies): Zimbabwe<br />
-snip-<br />
Notice an example of belly bucking (in Portuguese "umbigada") in this video at 1:29 and at other times. That dance movement is also found in the Mabelo folk dance from Martinique, West Indies. Click <a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/videos-of-mabelo-folk-dance-from.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/videos-of-mabelo-folk-dance-from.html</a> for a post on Mabelo dances.<br />
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Example #2: The Best of Jerusalema Mbende - Proudly Zimbabwean<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzpY17YaZs0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Zimbabwe HOPE TV, Published on Jul 23, 2015<br />
The Best Drumbeat, The Best Dance, The Best Dancers of Zimbabwe Traditional Dancing; Proudly Zimbabwean<br />
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Example #3: Murewa - Jerusarema Crew <br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/quV--_0WChI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
eldridgemash, Uploaded on Nov 3, 2011<br />
-snip-<br />
Notice that all the dancers are elderly.<br />
Examples of belly bucking are found at 5:43 - 6:05 and at other times in this video.<br />
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****<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to those who choreographed these dances and those who provided information about this dance. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and their publishers on YouTube.<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-9366708434790692722013-04-12T04:18:00.002-07:002017-08-11T06:37:07.969-07:00A Folk Dance From Martinique (Mabelo)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This post presents four videos of the Mabelo folk dance from Martinique, West Indies.<br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MABELO DANCE<br />
The Mabelo is a very old Martinique folk dance that is a form of the larger category of Bele dances. The name "Mabelo" probably come from the French phrase "ma belle" (my beauty).<br />
<br />
The Mabelo dance is very much like the Calenda (Kalinda) which is documented in the Caribbean and the USA from as early as the 18th century. Mabelo features a processional entry and males & females dancing in two horizontal lines. "Umbigada" *(the bellies of two dancers touching each other) is the central feature of this dance. <br />
<br />
*"Umbigada" is the Portuguese word that is translated to English as "belly bucking". <br />
<br />
Here's some information about the Calenda from <a href="http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3calnda.htm">http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3calnda.htm</a><br />
<br />
"The Calinda was a dance of multitude, a sort of vehement cotillion. Men and women would dance with Lascivious Gestures, the thighs together, striking them together in a rhythm patting, and would feature pelvic thrust's and hip gyrations. They then would separate with a pirouette, only to begin advancing towards each other all over again, doing the same movements with lascivious gestures. These dancers would sometimes last for hours and upon tiring, another would take their place. Throughout the dance the dancers would lock arms and make several revolutions, slapping their thighs and "kissing each other." The Calenda had numerous attempts of mock and ridicule and had actual attempts at banning the dance from society, and finally un-successfully banning the dance in 1843, however the Calenda lasted well into the late 19th century, despite the protests. <br />
<br />
The Cuban Rumba is said to be a descendant of the Calinda Dance."<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a one line description of that dance from <a href="http://ziloka.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/bele-when-martinique-dances/">http://ziloka.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/bele-when-martinique-dances/</a><br />
"Mabelo: a rather saucy dance where the dancer throw themselves at the other." <br />
<br />
FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)<br />
<br />
Example #1: MARTINIQUE - Bèlè **Mabélo**<br />
<br />
lagoyave, Uploaded on Apr 22, 2008 <br />
Tradition Martinique<br />
People from Martinique Island (FWI) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtG2uLDEUUI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtG2uLDEUUI</a><br />
<br />
Embedding disabled by request <br />
<br />
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Example #2: MARTINIQUE - Mabel O petite demo de la danse Bele et bonne humeur <br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USaBlFd2wGc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
lagoyave, Uploaded on Dec 22, 2010 <br />
<br />
Démonstration avec des volontaires du public. Ma Belle Oh (Mabèl O) est un titre célèbre du Bèlè, danse traditionnelle de la Martinique. C'était aussi un chant pour la fécondité. Si vous partez en vacances en Martinique, renseignez-vous auprès de l'office du tourisme et des collectivités pour assister à un 'rassemblement' typique de danses Bèlè, Kalennda et Damier, d'abord parce que l'ambiance y est formidable et puis ensuite cette tradition est magnifique. Des cours sont également disponibles à Paris et en région Ile-de-France. Surtout n'hésitez pas à me laisser un commentaire ou à m'envoyer un e-mail...=;)<br />
-snip-<br />
I don't speak French, but I think that the title of this video indicates that this is a brief, good humored [a funny] demonstation of this style of Bele dancing. And if I'm correctly deciphering it, I think that a portion of that summary says that this is a public demonstration of a fertility dance which is similar to the Calenda dance. And if I'm not mistaken, the commenter also writes that the name for this style of Bele dance comes from the phrase Ma Belle Oh" (Oh my beautiful lady). <br />
<br />
Additions & corrections to this partial transcription are welcome.<br />
<br />
****<br />
Example #3: Bèlè - Mabello - Bourg de Schoelcher <br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTRhmKJNUtU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
MrDjipe, Published on May 4, 2012 <br />
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**** <br />
Example #4: Mabelo Danse traditionnelle sous forme de ballets martiniquais <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xyMb96tQc0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
keops97208, Published on Jul 18, 2012 <br />
<br />
Danse traditionnelle sous forme de ballets martiniquais<br />
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****<br />
RELATED LINKS<br />
<a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/bele-dances-in-martinique-west-indies.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/bele-dances-in-martinique-west-indies.html</a><br />
**<br />
<a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/comparison-of-various-calenda-like.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/comparison-of-various-calenda-like.html</a><br />
**<br />
<a href="http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-dances">http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-dances</a><br />
<br />
****<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to those who choreographed these dances and those who provided information about the Mabelo dance. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-37978391472003150002013-04-11T14:47:00.000-07:002017-08-11T06:37:29.553-07:00Children Performing Traditional African Dances (South Africa & Zimbabwe) Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This post showcases seven videos of traditional African dances performed by children from South Africa and children from Zimbabwe.<br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)<br />
<br />
Example #1: zulu kids dancing in south africa <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EHDzNSL7BUg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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voodoochop, Uploaded on Nov 7, 2006<br />
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zulu kids dancing in south africa. part of "a modern odyssey" photography show. amodernodyssey.com. proceeds go to two sisters charity. twosisters.org.za<br />
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Example #2: Traditional Dance_ Chegutu, Zimbabwe (Africa)<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qdiSHWpInmE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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elikkkaUploaded on Oct 31, 2007<br />
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school project zimbabwe - African dance<br />
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Example #3: South African children dancing <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QzU4YJR6UnM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Theparsonsflock, Uploaded on Feb 14, 2008<br />
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Children dancing for Pauls group.<br />
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Example #4: Xhosa Traditional Dance Group [South Africa]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yWx4EvkgfkM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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mossdeno1221, Uploaded on Nov 13, 2008<br />
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This is one of the stops of a local tour in the Garden Route. This is a presentation of a group of girls doing traditional Xhosa dances.<br />
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Example #5: Traditional Shona Dance by Schoolkids <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1uVsONRO-GE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Timangola9, Uploaded on Sep 9, 2009<br />
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Primary school kids perform a traditional Shona dance<br />
-snip-<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_people">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_people</a><br />
"Shona (pron.: /ˈʃoʊnə/) is the name collectively given to two groups of people in the east and southeast of Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique." <br />
-snip-<br />
I'm not sure whether these school children live in Zimbabwe or Mozambique.<br />
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Example #6: Traditional South African Dance<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a5NcZSHuPmU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Matt Dixon, Uploaded on Oct 3, 2010<br />
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These kids live in a township called Kwamashu, they are all under 16yrs. They have known each other for a long time now and are looking for a opportunity to perform at bigger events. They have been acknowledged by Gateway which is a big shopping centre and have been great supporters of what the kids do. Hope you like the film and please leave comments and ideas.<br />
Check out their Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid...<br />
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Example #7: Urban Dance Southern Africa First Steps: The Children of Renco Mine<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DYn4YI7GjI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DYn4YI7GjI</a><br />
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embedding disabled by request<br />
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Rina Sherman, Uploaded on Jan 11, 2011 A five-part urban dance series filmed in Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1996.<br />
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Vidéo, 70', 1996, Production: ACA LTFA <br />
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Festivals: VidéoDanse, Pompidou Centre, 1996, 2009, VidéoDanse - CNDC Angers First Steps: The Children of Renco Mine <br />
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At the school of the Rio Tinto Gold Mine near Masvingo in Zimbabwe, children are taught dance as part of their school curriculum. Their bodies are totally engaged with the boys playing percussion whilst the girls take their first dance steps.<br />
A five-part urban dance series filmed in Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1996.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to the children and youth who are featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers and publishers of these videos.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah [zoom-ah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-42671349032382635472013-04-11T12:48:00.000-07:002017-08-11T06:38:08.397-07:00Contemporary Southern African Wedding Dances (Masteps)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post presents comments about and eight examples of contemporary Southern African wedding dances. These wedding dances sometimes referred to as "masteps" ("ma steps") or "steps". <br />
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This post also includes a video of this form of wedding dance being performed at a Congolese wedding. <br />
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The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
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Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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DESCRIPTION OF THESE WEDDING DANCES<br />
There are numerous videos of contemporary Southern African wedding dances, from 2007 to date. However, I've not found any internet article about those dances. This comment serves as an introduction to these dances albeit from someone who has never seen them in person. It's my hope that persons who are familiar with and knowledgeable about these dances publish comments to this post which correct or add to my statements and also write other articles about these dances. <br />
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The choreographed, rehearsed line dances which are the focus of this post are performed by a specific group of males & females at an indoor or outdoor wedding reception. The group performing this type of wedding dance may be composed of the bridesmaids & groomsmen, along with or without the bride and groom. Or the group may be a coed dance crew which is hired to perform at that wedding reception.<br />
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"Mastep" ("ma steps") * and "steps" are referents that are used in several YouTube videos of these types of wedding dances. However, most videos of those dances don't refer to those dances by name. My guess is that "masteps" (ma steps) is English for "my steps", meaning "my (dance) moves." <br />
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It appears that many commenters to videos of these African wedding dances most closely associate them with the nation of Zimbabwe. In addition to Zimbabwe, the other Southern African nations which have what appears to be a relatively new tradition of masteps at wedding receptions are - in alphabetical order- Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia.<br />
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Masteps African wedding dances are performed to moderately uptempo recorded songs. The songs usually have been recorded by an African singer, but the singer need not be from the same African nation that the bride & groom are from. There doesn't appear to be one standard way of performing these choreographed dance routines. However, a standard feature of every masteps routine that I've watched on YouTube is that there are two, usually vertical, lines with one line being for the males and one line being for the females. Masteps routines can be performed as a processional "entrance" [to the reception] dances, as performances during the reception, and/or as a recessional "exit dances" for the wedding court. The dance routines themselves appear to me to consists of dance steps from the Rhumba, the cha cha cha, traditional dances from the bride and/or groom's nation or ethnic group, as well as contemporary Cngolese social dance steps, and other contemporary social dance moves.<br />
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Unlike the Electric Slide or The Wooble, to cite two popular wedding reception dances in the United States & in other countries, masteps aren't an audience participatory dance. Some wedding guests might dance on the sideline, but they never join in the performance of that mastep dance. Furthermore, from the numerous videos of these African wedding line dances that I've watched, it seems that persons watching performances of these dances hardily ever clap or sing along with the record, although some persons might do ulalations and some might otherwise loudly exclaim their appreciation of the dance, although I don't get the sense that those exclamations usually reach the level of the "shout outs" recognitions of individual performers by name & yelled encouragements that are given at many African American talent shows & step shows. It seems that the standard practice is for other attendees at the wedding to remain in their seats, watching the performance, and taking photographs or videos. And unlike most Nigerian and some other West African weddings, no money is sprayed on [showered on the heads of] the dancers.*<br />
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**Click <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-african-custom-of-spraying-money.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-african-custom-of-spraying-money.html</a> for information about "spraying money".<br />
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VIDEO WITH SELECTED COMMENTS<br />
Zim Wedding dance-Ma steps-Munyaradzi and Tatenda<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pZV6FgKuEks?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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draino27, Uploaded on Jun 18, 2007<br />
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Tatenda Matutu and Munyaradzi Maraura's Wedding Aug 12 2006.Dancing to Muntuza(2bobo) by Malaika<br />
-snip-<br />
"Zim" is a colloquial referent for "Zimbabwe"<br />
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Here are some comments from this video's viewer comment thread <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZV6FgKuEks">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZV6FgKuEks</a><br />
ormgm, 2009 <br />
forevaalwaize, 2007 <br />
Man we had a wedding august of 2007 but guess we weren't searching right coz we never found these masteps! Groom asi ndivo vanga vari coach kani?<br />
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Samantha Mapfumo, 2007<br />
we copied tha dance moves frm these steps fr this zimbabwean wedding, n everyone liked them.. thanks fr the insiparation... happy new year!! ma steps aya akapenga!<br />
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ormgm, 2009<br />
Ya this is more like it..Southern africa wedding dance--Zim,Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho..Same style..!<br />
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schurch777, 2009<br />
I need info.. of the details of the guy hu teaches ma steps please!<br />
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MsAfricanbeauty1, 2010<br />
Zim weddings are almost like Zed oneS! i love this video. whats the name of the song and who is it by?<br />
-snip-<br />
"Zed" is a colloquial referent for Zambia. <br />
**<br />
murambinda23, 2010 <br />
wow, i like mmm makagona<br />
-snip-<br />
Another commenter mentioned "magona steps" in reference to this video. I wonder if "makagona" or "magona" is a type of Zimbabwean dance.<br />
**<br />
msfunkychiken, 2010<br />
Man me and my friend watch your video ALLLLL the time....ma steps are just BEAUTIFULL i will be using them for inspiration in the future!!<br />
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OTHER FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in to showcase various styles of contemporary wedding dances. No order of preference is intending by the numbers that are assigned to these videos.)<br />
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Example #1: Zambian Wedding Party<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8e0qmDz58cg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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beconcerned, Uploaded on Dec 3, 2007<br />
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The WILD entry dance at a Zambian Wedding reception, with a bridal party comprised of 11 Zambians and 1 American, dancing to Congolese rumba music<br />
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Example #2: Perpe & Paida Wedding Dance 1 [Zimbabwe]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jAOhGimWz1s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Shepherd Mutyora, Uploaded on Jan 8, 2012<br />
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Wedding reception dance at Rainbow Towers Hotel, Harare, Zimbabwe<br />
-snip-<br />
Notice at around 2:40 in this video each couple takes a turn dancing down the aisle formed in between the male line & the female line in a manner that was popularized by the television dance show "Soul Train".<br />
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Example #3: Wedding exit dance<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e7XWnnEhuPc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Samuellyc, Uploaded on Oct 19, 2011<br />
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Bevis and Mutale's exit dance at their incredible wedding in Zambia. For all those asking the track is Grippe Aviaire by DJ Lewis.<br />
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Example #4: Joyo's Wedding Anniversary Dance (Part 1) <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B4mg2DtBr2M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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AubreyJoyo Uploaded on Jul 15, 2011<br />
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20th Wedding Anniversary Mr Austin & Mrs Kate joyo, Hilton Garden Inn, USA. Malawian Wedding.<br />
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Example #5: sera and clive's wedding.wmv<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Poyop34dETk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
maggiesoblessed gwatirisa, Uploaded on Jul 14, 2011<br />
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my sisters's wedding <br />
-snip-<br />
This is a Zimbabwean wedding that was held in the UK<br />
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Example #6: U gotta love a Botswana wedding!!! part 1 <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IcyO6zQCn44?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Buzzstylo, Uploaded on Sep 11, 2010<br />
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A terrific dance ya baetsana in Mangana, Tutume, Botswana!<br />
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Example #7: African Wedding Botswana serudi phuu marrying Robin Nelson <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FX50D_G7wTU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>.<br />
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rudy80ish, Published on Mar 15, 2012<br />
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RELATED VIDEO<br />
Note: Although various commenters attribute some of these dance steps to the Congo, this is the only YouTube video that I've found to date of a "mastep" dance routine at a Congolese wedding. <br />
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Wedding entrance African style.mp4<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CcX9uNPJJho?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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beavadvideo, Uploaded on Apr 25, 2010<br />
African wedding filmed by Beavad Video Productions (www.beavadvideo.com)<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a comment written in response to several commenters who wrote that this was a Zimbabwean wedding: <br />
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Annalise Carter, 2011 <br />
I went 2 the wedding @mumbi42 is right it is congalese and it's in KENYA!<br />
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RELATED LINKS<br />
Click this link to a post on Zambian wedding dances: <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/wedding-dances-zambia.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/wedding-dances-zambia.html</a>. Pancocojams is my other cultural blog.<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluSE0EGsv8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluSE0EGsv8</a> African Wedding- dancers, Kyangwali Settlement, Uganda for a video of a Ugandan wedding dance which is quite similar to masteps. However, this dance differs from masteps in that the dancers are all female. Furthermore, unlike mastep dances, this group aren't dancing to recorded music, but the music for the dance comes from the dancers and the drummers.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Congratulations to all those whose weddings were featured in these videos. Thanks to all the choreographers and dancers featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-36048566417068675972013-04-09T07:02:00.000-07:002017-09-21T07:45:35.954-07:00Bèlè Dances In Martinique, West Indies (Information & Videos)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post presents infoRmation about Bèlè dances In Martinique, West Indies.<br />
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This post also showcases nine videos of these dances.<br />
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The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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INFORMATION ABOUT BELE DANCES<br />
Here's some information about this dance:<br />
From <a href="http://ziloka.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/bele-when-martinique-dances/">http://ziloka.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/bele-when-martinique-dances/</a> <br />
"Even if the etymology of the word is not clear, Bèlè encompasses a wide range of dances from the Island of Martinique. Product of West African patterns and European influences, one can say that Bèlè is part of the Creole aesthetic so unique and so typical of the Caribbean. Indeed, slaves used to dance and play drums for all the occasions of their lives. There was a rhythm to work, a rhythm to fight, a rhythm to worship, a rhythm to celebrate and of course a rhythm to seduce. Each step, and drum beat had a meaning, which is partially lost nowadays. Nevertheless, the spirit of fellowship still remains, making Bèlè relevant even in the 21st century.<br />
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If you are invited to a “Swaré Bèlè” (a Bèlè party) you will be able to see or join “la ronde Bèlè” (the Bèlè circle). In this circle, you have “La vwa” (the singer and the backup singers called “Le répondè”), lé tambouyé (2 drummers), “Le bwatè” (someone setting the rhythm, hitting the back of the drum with two sticks).<br />
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A basic “Bèlè ronde” is composed of 8 dancers, with 2 couples dancing simultaneously while the other couples wait their turn to join the dance. As we saw earlier, there are different dances for occasions. "... [A description of different Bèlè dances follows in that post.]<br />
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From an emailed article that was sent to my Cocojams.com website on 10/7/2012 by Kieron Sargeant: "Bele History" by Emelda lynch Griffith<br />
"In the late 18th Century when the French plantation owners and their slaves came to Trinidad and Tobago, they brought with them a life style of joie de vivre to their plantations. At that time, the French held many balls at the Great Houses where they enjoyed doing many of the courtly dances of Europe including the minuet.<br />
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The house slaves, in their moments of leisure, took the dance to the field slaves and mimicked the dance of their masters. They showed off by doing ceremonious bows, making grand entrances, sweeping movements, graceful and gentle gliding steps which imitated the elegance of the French doing the minuet whilst the rhythmic quality of the drums added spicy and yet subtle sensuality to the movements.<br />
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During the passage of time, this dance has evolved to what is now called the Bele. It includes the African ritual form that places the spiritual and the secular side by side. As a result different versions of the Bele can be found wherever the French settled in the Caribbean.<br />
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Carabinee - The opening dance where host greets the gathering. <br />
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Simple Bele - Expresses the gracefulness of the dancer – usually done by La Reine – the Queen.<br />
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Grand Bele - Couples dancing (male and female) similar to a square dance"<br />
-snip-<br />
A Bele dance that was choreographed by Kieron Sargeant is included in this page of my Cocojams website <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-dances">http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-dances</a><br />
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EATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)<br />
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Example #1: MARTINIQUE - Bèlè **Mabélo** <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtG2uLDEUUI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtG2uLDEUUI</a><br />
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lagoyave, Uploaded on Apr 22, 2008 <br />
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Tradition Martinique<br />
People from Martinique Island (FWI) [French West Indies]<br />
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[embedding disabled by request]<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a comment from that video's viewer comment thread:<br />
"It is fasinating! The melodic structure of the chantwell's la veh is that same as what is used in Trinidad, though the dance movements resembles the pique more than our bele steps."<br />
- Arthur Nunez, 2013 <br />
-snip-<br />
"chantwell"- the lead singer<br />
-snip-<br />
The video given as Example #6 of this post demonstrates this style of Bele dancing. <br />
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Example #2: soirée bélé <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ryNz3hDgdVM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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lesamisdubele, Uploaded on Nov 13, 2008 <br />
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le robert etais chaud<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNz3hDgdVM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNz3hDgdVM</a><br />
"This is bomba! lol J/K i know its bele but it is cousin drumming tradition to puerto rican bomba.. this is great<br />
-vanchi233, 2010<br />
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Example #3: Swaré Bèlè Kanigwé <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R6-eh7rjz5o?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Thierry Negi, Uploaded on Apr 18, 2010 <br />
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Soirée Bèlè au grand marché de Fort de France, le samedi 17 avril 2010 organisée en Hommage à Aimé Césaire par l'Association "Kanigwé" .<br />
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Example #4: Swaré bèlè de Bèlènou - Bèlè Kourant'.wmv <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QK7lTzkIdds?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Thierry Negi, Uploaded on Jun 7, 2010 <br />
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Swaré bèlè organisée par l'Association "Bèlènou", le 05 juin 2010 au quartier Roches carrées au Lamentin (Martinique).<br />
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Example #5: Gran Bèlè - AM4 (chant Pierre Dru) <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jY5ZqK03SmU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Ruddy Boa, Uploaded on Oct 3, 2010 <br />
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Gran Bèlè - AM4 (chant Pierre Dru) <br />
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Extrait émission Select Tango RFO Martinique (1983)<br />
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Example #6: MARTINIQUE - Mabel O petite demo de la danse Bele et bonne humeur <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USaBlFd2wGc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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lagoyave, Uploaded on Dec 22, 2010 <br />
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Démonstration avec des volontaires du public. Ma Belle Oh (Mabèl O) est un titre célèbre du Bèlè, danse traditionnelle de la Martinique. C'était aussi un chant pour la fécondité. Si vous partez en vacances en Martinique, renseignez-vous auprès de l'office du tourisme et des collectivités pour assister à un 'rassemblement' typique de danses Bèlè, Kalennda et Damier, d'abord parce que l'ambiance y est formidable et puis ensuite cette tradition est magnifique. Des cours sont également disponibles à Paris et en région Ile-de-France. Surtout n'hésitez pas à me laisser un commentaire ou à m'envoyer un e-mail...=;)<br />
-snip-<br />
I don't speak French, but I think that the title of this video indicates that this is a brief, good humored [a funny] demonstation of this style of Bele dancing. And if I'm correctly deciphering it, I think that a portion of that summary says that this is a public demonstration of a fertility dance which is similar to the Calenda dance. And if I'm not mistaken, the commenter also writes that the name for this style of Bele dance comes from the phrase Ma Belle Oh" (Oh my beautiful lady). <br />
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Additions & corrections to this partial transcription are welcome.<br />
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Example #7: Bèlè - Bélya manmay la <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zxmDnkIgZNc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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kaboogo, Uploaded on Oct 18, 2011 <br />
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Swaré bèlè Berthé Grivalliers lanmézon bèlè Sent-Mari<br />
La Vwa Felix Cebarec<br />
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Example #8: Bèlè - Titine di mwen <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oi46WBj8jrA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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kaboogo, Uploaded on Oct 21, 2011 <br />
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Swaré bèlè Berthé Grivalliers lanmézon bèlè Sent-Mari<br />
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Example #9: Soirée Bèlè Samedi 05 Janvier 2013 Maison du Bèlè-Gran Bèlè <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ftvKqsP0RVs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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LA MAISON DU BELE, Published on Jan 7, 2013 <br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to those who choreographed these dances and those who rovided information about Bèlè Dances. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-9038814960889492282013-04-08T22:08:00.001-07:002017-08-11T06:38:54.827-07:00Five Videos Of Egyptian Saidi Stick Dances (Raks Assaya & Tahtib) , Part IIEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This is Part II of a two part series on stick (cane) dances from Upper Egypt (Saidi dances). Part II showcases five videos of Saidi stick dances. Information about Saidi dancing is included in some of the summaries for these featured videos. <br />
<br />
More information about these dances are found in Part I of this video. Part I also includes three videos of Saidi dances.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/egyptian-saidi-stick-dances-raks-assaya.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/egyptian-saidi-stick-dances-raks-assaya.html</a> for Part I of this series. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
Example #1: EGYPTIAN SAIDI STICK DANCE FROM LUXOR BY OSMAN BALATTA <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rom9yco-CW4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Tarik Sultan, Uploaded on Jul 19, 2007<br />
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This is Osman Balatta, a long time friend and merchant in Luxor Egypt demonstarting for us the traditional dance style of Upper Egypt.<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a transcript of the publisher’s introductory text that is found in the video:<br />
"Osman is not a professional dancer, He is a merchant and has several stores in Sharm El Shiekh and in Luxor. However, for the sake of our group, He agreed to demonstrate the dance style that is typically done in the area, usually at weddings and other social gatherings.<br />
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Here he demonstrated the upper Egyptian stick dance Raks Al Assaya, often confused with Takhtiyb, which is a stick fight.<br />
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The music starts out in the Jihanni rhythm and the steps are an imitation of the dancing horses. The sticks called Assa or Assaya frames the body and imitates the moves of Takhtiyb.<br />
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Osman also demonstrates the sense of humour that is part of the character of Egyptian dance."<br />
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Example #2: Egyptian Stick Dance تحطيب taḥṭīb or Raqs al assaya<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1HvbMFs1sXE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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EgyptPropertyForSalem, Uploaded on Dec 19, 2011<br />
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Tahtib (Arabic: تحطيب taḥṭīb) is the Modern Egyptian term for a traditional form of Egyptian folk dance involving a wooden stick, also known as "stick dance" or "cane dance". It is sometimes also described as a "stick-dancing game", or as a highly ritualized mock fight accompanied by music. Also known as Raqs al assaya<br />
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Example #3:Saidi Fellaheen, Egyptian Folkoric, Water Jug and Stick Dance<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gmW7br5PZzw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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NormaDancer2, Uploaded on Nov 16, 2009<br />
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A classic folkloric dance from Upper Egypt. As the women go to the NIle to collect water they encounter a group of men who also need water. But one of the women, catches the eyes of the men. <br />
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Music of Metkal Kenawi. Main dancer: Hala Safy <br />
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Sorry for the teeny clip of Souheir Zaki in the beginning. Couldn't cut it out without losing the beginning.<br />
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Example #4: troup reda ..saidi فرقة رضا.. العصاية<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vTJTdSaCFxY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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orbot55, Uploaded on Aug 11, 2009<br />
troup reda ..saidi فرقة رضا.. العصاية<br />
-snip-<br />
Several commenters wrote that Saidi dances can be performed with or without a stick. <br />
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Example #5: Ashira dancing a Saidi with double cane - Ashira Belly Dance <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ictdnSX_Los?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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CelesteAlarcon, Uploaded on Mar 1, 2011<br />
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Ashira dancing a saidi with double cane at the Hannan's Belly Dance Studio Student Show - June 2009<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers of these videos & their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-87078154705536072412013-04-08T21:53:00.001-07:002018-08-30T15:17:46.333-07:00Information About & Three Videos Of Egyptian Saidi Stick Dances Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This is Part I of a two part series on stick (cane) dances from Upper Egypt (Saidi dances). Part I of this series provide some information about Saidi dances and three videos of Saidi dances.<br />
<br />
Part II of this series provides five additional videos of Saidi stick dances. Click <a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/five-videos-of-egyptian-saidi-stick.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/five-videos-of-egyptian-saidi-stick.html</a> for Part II of this series.<br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT SAIDI DANCES <br />
From <a href="http://www.orientaldancer.net/belly-dance-library/dance-middle-east/saidi-dance.php">http://www.orientaldancer.net/belly-dance-library/dance-middle-east/saidi-dance.php</a><br />
Saidi Dance By Ashraf Hassan <br />
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"The Saidi dance is from Upper Egypt, between Gizeh and Edfu.The Saidi people are upper Egyptian farmers. Usually a Saidi dance is lively, energetic and earthy. The dancer uses one or two sticks, originally made of bamboo.<br />
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There are two types of Saidi stick dance: Raks Assaya and Tahtib. The word Tahtib means dancing with sticks and it is originally a kind of conflict with sticks between men to show their power. Tahtib is the oldest form of Egyptian martial arts to have survived. Tahtib dancing is a product of Egyptian martial arts from the pharaonic times. The Pharaohs painted this kind of dance on the walls of their temples and their soldiers learned it.<br />
<br />
Tahtib was considered, at that time, to be weapon training. The ancient Egyptians performed stick fencing or stick fighting as a tribute to the pharaoh. This type of fencing was probably based on an actual fighting system used in combat with a shield and a sword - as with the wooden bukko in Kendo which then evolved into a system with its own rules and methods...<br />
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In many respects, it resembles the sport of single stick. Like other martial arts of the world which are tied culturally to dance and music traditions, such as Brazilian Capoiera and Indonesian Silat. Tahtib is a special art form in that it combines both real combat aspects, and aesthetic aspects, and the concept of The Game or Play...<br />
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There is NO historical evidence to prove how Tahtib was created. However, there is historical evidence referencing the Pharaoh Menes (c305-285BCE), who unified Egypt and his desire to have the world's greatest army.<br />
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Supposedly, he invited the greatest warriors throughout all of Africa, India, and several other locations in the Middle-East to train his armies. This was probably the catalyst for the first Olympic Games. Elements of Tahtib can found in the more well known martial arts of the world; namely Eskrima (Filipino Stick Fighting), White Eyebrow Kung Fu (Bak Mei), Pencak Silat, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Hwa Rang Do, Ninjitsu, and various Capoiera styles...<br />
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Tahtib has changed over years to be just a kind of dance with Stick. Stick dance belongs to folk dances. The stick is regarded as a symbol of masculinity, i.e. a phallus. Although the dance form originally started as male-only, there are women who perform dressed as men and dance with other women.<br />
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Another female version of stick dancing has been developed with a flirtatious and generally less aggressive style, and incorporated into cabaret or "belly dance." The stick used for this type of dancing is generally thinner, more lightweight and hooked at one end like a cane, and generally embellished with metallic-coloured foil or sequins.<br />
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Stick fighting has been used to settle disputes between members of rival families, mostly in the Egyptian countryside. The men's stick dances are very dramatic and manly dances - not to be confused with the coquetry of the women's dance. Tahtib is a favorite dance at any festive occasion, such as weddings, welcoming parties, and harvest festivals. It is also practiced by the men as a pastime and used as a means of self-defense.<br />
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The stick itself is about four feet in length and is called an Asa, Asaya or Assaya, or Nabboot. It is often flailed in large figure-8 patterns across the body with such speed and violence that the displacement of air is loudly discernible.<br />
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There is another form practiced from horseback known as "Horse Stepping" which uses a stick that is nearly 12 feet long. Raks Assaya is performed by men and/or women and shows off a more acrobatic version of handling the stick. The women's version of the stick dance is, of course, much more feminine and graceful, and can only lightly imitate the Tahtib.<br />
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One story claims these women's dances are a parody of the men's stick dances. They make the movements cute and flirty and omit the fighting. The women flaunt effortless control of their much smaller stick or crooked cane. They use it unabashedly as a frame for the body movements. Some of the women's movements echo the 'tahtib' and sometimes the men imitate the woman's style...<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
Example #1: <br />
التحطيب بمولد الحسين 2011<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x8wbt2R-oCs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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ali elsherbiny, Uploaded on Mar 30, 2011 <br />
التحطيب الرقصة الشعبية لأهل الصعيد فى مصر / فى إحتفالات مولد الحسين 29 /3/2011 /<br />
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Example #2: رجب الاسيوطى <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KLxzkmRIVI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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ragabalasuotie, Uploaded on Nov 2, 2009وطى <br />
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Example #3: أبناء الفراعنة في الكويت في التحطيب <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d6WZQGhSFfU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Co0lZeRo10, Uploaded on Nov 6, 2009<br />
-snip-<br />
This summary includes extensive comments written in Arabic.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers of these videos & their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-2736346683592101312013-04-07T09:44:00.001-07:002017-08-11T06:39:50.165-07:00La Conga! The Cuban Origin Of The Conga Line Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post presents information about & videos of La Conga in Cuba & the Conga line in the United States.<br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT LA CONGA & INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONGA LINE<br />
From <a href="http://americansabor.org/musicians/styles/conga">http://americansabor.org/musicians/styles/conga</a> Latinos in US Popular Music<br />
"The term Conga refers to both a style of music and the dance that accompanies the music, as well as an Afro-Cuban instrument, the conga drum (traditionally called the tumbadora).<br />
<br />
Originating out of the city of Santiago in Cuba, the conga became a popular festival dance in which members of the audience would join in line with the comparsas (performing musicians and dancers). The infectious line dance, which features a distinctive African-inspired rhythm, became popular with lower class Cubans, particularly Blacks and was banned in the 1920s and '30s in some Cuban cities, including Santiago.<br />
<br />
However, during this time White Cuban pianist and composer Eliseo Grenet brought the conga craze to international audiences in Paris, London and New York and it has remained popular ever since. Gloria Estefan’s Miami Sound Machine further strengthened the Conga craze with their 1986 hit, Conga, and the line dance is now a ubiquitous party classic."<br />
-snip-<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conga_(comparsa)#The_conga_of_Los_Hoyos">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conga_(comparsa)#The_conga_of_Los_Hoyos</a><br />
..."Congas and comparsas are different parts of the carnivals of Santiago de Cuba.,[1] and by extension, similar groups may be found in carnivals in Havana...<br />
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Los Hoyos is a district in downtown Santiago de Cuba and home to the Conga of Los Hoyos. The date of the founding of this conga is unknown, but it was already in existence in 1902 (del Carmen et al. 2005).<br />
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At first, the instruments of the group were a pilón, some bocúes, a cowbell and a güiro. Later, two redoblantes were added, the number of bocúes was increased and the cowbell and güiro were replaced by frying pans. Later still, the frying pans were replaced by the campanas (automobile brake drums or other pieces of metal chosen for their distinct sound qualities). Also added were the quinto and the requinto. Los Hoyos first began using a corneta china in 1916 (del Carmen et al. 2005).<br />
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During the carnaval season, Los Hoyos performs a traditional event known as an "invasión," in which it marches around the streets of Santiago and visits the neighborhoods where the other famous congas[7] are located. This "invasión" commemorates the invasion of the Army of Liberation at the end of the War of Independence. Los Hoyos also closes the traditional parades of the Carnaval of Santiago de Cuba (del Carmen et al. 2005)."..<br />
-snip- <br />
From <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conga_line">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conga_line</a><br />
"The conga line is a Cuban carnival march that was first developed in Cuba and became popular in the United States in the 1930s and 1950s. The dancers form a long, processing line. It has three shuffle steps on the beat, followed by a kick that is slightly ahead of the fourth beat. The conga, a term mistakenly believed to be derived from the African region of Congo, is both a lyrical and danceable genre, rooted in the music of carnival troupes or comparsas.[1]...<br />
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Beginning in the late 1930s, and intensely in the 1940s, it [the conga dance] became wildly popular in the United States, due in no small measure to Hollywood's "Latin" musicals.[1] RKO's offerings were particularly influential, notably Too Many Girls (1940), in which Desi Arnaz appeared as a conga-playing Argentine student.[1] Spanish-Catalan band-leader Xavier Cugat, who gave Arnaz his musical start, helped to popularize the dance, but the biggest impact belonged to Arnaz himself.[1] With its simple march step, the interlinking of dancers snaking about in single file, and one-two-three-hump rhythm with the fourth beat strongly marked. The dance was not only attractive but also readily accessible to United States and other foreign audiences. The other important aspect of the dance was the music: The instrument use by musicians and even the rhythm they play was interesting. The dance started to gain some popularity in the United States around 1929 when the original La Conga Nightclub opened its doors. It was believed that the La Conga Nightclub was at Broadway and 51st street in New York.[3] By 1937, the conga was well known in New York."<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS: LA CONGA IN CUBA<br />
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Example #1: cubanfolkloricdance<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YYtV1v1AeUM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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cubanfolkloricdance, Uploaded on Sep 19, 2007 <br />
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Conga Santiaguera - Performance by Ballet Folklórico Cutumba de Santiago, Cuba. More information on Cutumba at www.cubanfolkloricdance.com<br />
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Example #2: La Conga Santiaguera Part 3 <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oDJ8FGArqPc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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DJOMARITO, Uploaded on Jun 24, 2009 <br />
-snip-<br />
This is La Conga in Santiago de Cuba (Los Hoyos)<br />
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Example #3: La Conga Cubana - Santiago - Cuba - 014v02<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yyNnu0XYcFU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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CubaVideosCom, Uploaded on Nov 29, 2011<br />
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"La Conga" is one of the most authentic cuban musical traditions, one that makes everyone move. Santiago de Cuba is where the biggest, best and hosttest congas are found, they all gathers in the Santiago the Cuba Carnivals for the best Conga show in the world.<br />
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In this video the conga is performed by childrens as a practice for the later Santiago´s Carnival opening that same day. Original music by Yaso. More Cuba videos at cubavideos.com<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's the English text given in that video of comments that musician Jose Armando Garzon gave about La Conga [found at .17-.52]<br />
“La Conga is a hybrid of what the Catalans call “La Joya” and one thing that came from Africa, “the Kinfruity”. It’s the day that the king was no king at all on the party day, the king was no king and the people could call the king anything, and do anything. Since then the singings in the conga are singings that sometimes...Well, they are irreverent! The conga is like that a group of people, singing, dancing, playing percussion instruments and doing all kind of mischief." <br />
-snip-<br />
I can find no information online about any dances called "La Joya"<br />
or "Kinfruity". However, Jose Armando Garzon's description of a time when authority roles are subverted & normal rules are suspended correlates with the medieval European traditions of carnival. In his 1923 book <i>Ashanti</i> R.S. Rattray, describes a similar period of time in Ghana called "Apo" in which people ha what Rattray called "Lampooning Liberty". Rattray quotes an old high priest who said:<br />
[Because conditions & interactions cause a person's sunsum [soul] to get sick and people are often prohibited during normal times from freely expressing themselves] "our forbears...ordained a time, once every year, when every man and woman, free man and slave, should have freedom to speak out just what was in their head, to tell their neighbors just what they thought of themm and of their actions, and not their neighbors but also the king o chief. When a man has spoken freely thus, he will feel his sunsum cool and quieted, and the sunsum of the other person against whom he has now openly spoken will be quieted also. The King of the Ashanti may have killed your children, and you hate him. This has made him ill, and you ill, too; when you are allowed to say before his face what you think, you both benefit. That was why te King of Ashanti in ancient times, when he fell sick, would send for the Queen of Nkoranza to insult him, even though the time for the ceremony had not come yet. It made him live longer and did him good." [R.S. Rattray: Ashanti, Oxford University Press, 1969, p. 153; originally published in 1923] <br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS OF THE CONGA LINE<br />
Example #1: Weekend At Bernie's II: The Conga Line <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2X-bnzzM3xg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Uploaded on Oct 4, 2007 <br />
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Bernie Lomax, brought back to life during a botched voodoo ceremony in "Weekend At Bernie's II", joins in a conga line in the U.S. Virgin Islands.<br />
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The song "Momma Let Go" is written by Péter F. Wolf and performed by J. D. Nicholas.<br />
-snip-<br />
"Weekend At Bernie's" is a 1989 American movie.<br />
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Example #2<br />
Conga Line / Party Train set up version <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EqyvULpxI0U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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CompleteMusicKC, Uploaded on Jan 3, 2010 <br />
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Another good way to get guests on the dance floor with out asking them to come out on the dance floor.<br />
-snip-<br />
The Conga line dance begins at 2:18 in this video.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those who are featured in this post. My thanks also to the producers of these videos and the video's publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-33662826709496352592013-04-07T05:00:00.004-07:002017-08-11T06:40:13.904-07:00Indlamu - The Dance That Ladysmith Black Mambazo Does Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This post presents two videos of the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with special focus on their performance of the indlamu dance. Three additional videos of other groups performing the indlamu dance are also featured in this post along with information about that traditional Zulu dance. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT INDLAMU DANCING<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indlamu">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indlamu</a><br />
"Indlamu (IPA: [ind͡ɮaːmu]) is a traditional Zulu dance from South Africa where the dancer lifts one foot over his head and brings it down hard, landing squarely on the downbeat. Typically, two dancers in warrior's pelts perform indlamu routines together, shadowing each other's moves perfectly. Also often referred to as a Zulu war dance and often performed at weddings.<br />
<br />
Indlamu is also the traditional short beaded skirt of young Swazi maidens during the Umhlanga (Reed Dance)."<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS OF LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO<br />
Example #1: Ladysmith Black Mambazo ... doin' the dance<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kx8dmQHyIbw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Dainon Moody, Uploaded on Jul 23, 2009<br />
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Man, they can kick high. From a performance in Salt Lake City, [Utah, USA] filmed on July 22, 2009 @ The Jeanne Wagner Theatre downtown.<br />
-snip-<br />
Special thanks to ITholeLeNdlovu, who posted this comment in 2012 in that video's viewer comment thread <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx8dmQHyIbw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx8dmQHyIbw</a><br />
"It's called Zulu dance or Indlamu".<br />
-snip-<br />
Prior to reading that comment, I didn't know the name of this high kicking dance that I associated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and which I had seen in other videos of Zulu dancing. <br />
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Example #2: Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Wentomb'unecala Live <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AMhmswVLKdg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>.<br />
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LadysmthBlackMambazo, Uploaded on Jan 13, 2011 <br />
-snip-<br />
This video will be showcased in an upcoming post on my pancocojams blog. That post includes my speculation-using an online Zulu to English feature-about the English translation of the title "Wentomb'unecala".<br />
-snip-<br />
Editor's comment: I'm not sure if all of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's movements while they sing are a part of the traditional indlamu dance. It seems to me that some of their movements are part of the theatrical technique of "mime" (pantomime). An example of this is when all of the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo wave their hand in the well recognized gesture for "hello" while singing the English word "hello" as part of their performance of the song "Homeless". Maybe miming was always part of isicathamiya singing or is now a part of isicathamiya singing which is the type of singing that Ladysmith Black Mambazo does. <br />
-snip-<br />
Click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladysmith_Black_Mambazo">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladysmith_Black_Mambazo</a> for information about Ladysmith Black Mambazo.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS OF OTHER SOUTH AFRICAN GROUPS<br />
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Example #1: Pretty Zulu Girls show their Wedding Dance. <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RQtRKqnuqvc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Jan van der Meer·Uploaded on Apr 28, 2008 <br />
<a href="http://www.voluntourismtips.blogspot.com">http://www.voluntourismtips.blogspot.com</a> Beautiful Zulugirl Mafuthi Mathenjwa works at the Simunye Community Tourism Association Office (sponsored by DaimlerChrysler) based at the entrance of Khula Village a small rural settlement next to the Dukuduku Forest on the fringes of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in Zululand. <br />
Mafuti is the pretty receptionist and dancer in the nearby Veyane Cultural Village we filmed her and the dancers in a wedding song for YouTube. They like to become famous and attract more tourists, so tell them please you saw her here on YouTube. This tourism office is the first in South Africa to be entirely owned and operated by members of the local community.<br />
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Example #3: Zulu dance Indlamu yokuqala.MP4<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2JeApkdXnWw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Makhungv Uploaded on Jul 13, 2010<br />
Kulendlamu Kwakungumemulo Esijozini eMsinga<br />
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Example #3: PAMATA - Indlamu - Musaion 03.06.2012<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2eH6rq5wypY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
PAMATAGROUP, Published on Jun 4, 2012<br />
"Indlamu" is an isiZulu traditional dance style to show strength.<br />
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PAMATA (Pan African Music and Theatre Arts) is a cultural and skills development organisation started in 2008 to develop, educate, nurture and inspire South African youth through the arts and culture.<br />
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The performers are: Blessing Rammego, CalvinGifted Manyaka Wa Mamphela, Elsie Zondo, Humbulani Mathivha, Nhlanhla Momozana KaMahlang, Reneilwe Madibe, Sammy Blood, Thato, William Lehlogonolo, Zoe Mhlanga, & Julius Kyakuwa<br />
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Pamata Director: Charles K. Mugerwa<br />
Artistic Director: Julius Kyakuwa<br />
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Musaion Auditorium (University of Pretoria) - 03/06/2012<br />
-snip-<br />
Notice the drummer who is wearing a dashiki. The members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo also wear dashikis. <br />
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"Dashikis" were created in the late 1960s by African Americans who patterned them after the Yoruba male attire known as "dansiki". That clothing attire is not traditional to South Africans. But the exact same dashiki colors & patterns worn by that drummer in this video was very common in dashikis worn in the USA during the late 1960s/early 1970s. <br />
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Information about dashikis can be found in this post on my pancocojams cultural blog: <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/dashikis-adaptation-of-yoruba-dansiki.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/dashikis-adaptation-of-yoruba-dansiki.html</a>. <br />
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WARNING FOR EDUCATIONAL USERS<br />
Women wear tops in all of the videos featured in this post. However, some other YouTube videos of indlamu dancing show women topless, which is the traditional way that this dance was & may still be performed. <br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those who created indlamu dancing and my thanks to those who performed, and who now perform this dance. Thanks also to the producers of these videos and thanks to their publishers on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-40221919645132547082013-04-04T19:37:00.000-07:002017-08-11T06:40:53.453-07:00The Black Roots Of The Philadelphia Mummers (Part II)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This is Part II of a two part post on The Black Roots Of The Philadelphia Mummers. This post presents comparison videos of and information about three parade traditions: The Philadelphia Mummers, The Bahamaian Jonkanoo (as well as information about Jonkanoo in Jamaica, and in the USA), and the Mardi Gras Indians (New Orleans, USA).<br />
<br />
It's my position that the type of elaborate feather outfits that are worn by divisions of the Philadelphia Mummers (fancy, fancy brigade and string divisions, excluding the Comic division) were purposely copied by the Philadelphia Mummers from the earlier African American Mardi Gras traditions which in turn derived from the Caribbean Jonkanoo traditions. I find it hard to believe that it's just a coincidence that those Philadelphia Mummers feathered costumes so closely resemble the Mardi Gras Indian costumes. Furthermore, my informal research leads me to believe that those Caribbean Jonkanoo traditions mainly came from West African masquerade traditions such as the Nigerian Egungun festivals. <br />
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Part I provides historical information the outfits that were worn by early Philadelphia Mummers up to the change to the elaborate types of costumes that are still worn by present day paraders (with a focus on the fancy, fancy brigade, and string division Philadelphia Mummers.) <br />
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Click <a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-black-roots-of-philadelphia-mummers.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-black-roots-of-philadelphia-mummers.html</a> for Part I. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
DISCLAIMER: These posts do not imply that African American influences were the only influence on the Philadelphia Mummers parade traditions. Without any question, the Swiss, British and German customs- key among other European Christmas and New Years traditions- influenced the parade traditions & practices of the Philadelphia Mummers.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
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Video #1: PHILADELPHIA MUMMERS<br />
1st Prize Routine's Through The Years <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bW4buRO5mkE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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69mets86, Uploaded on Jan 30, 2011 <br />
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A compilation of clips from each 1st Prize winning String Band theme from 1978 to 2010. Watch as the bands evolve from simple music and routines in the late 70's to elaborate music and the extravagent drill's and props of today.<br />
-snip-<br />
Information about the Philadelphia Mummers from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Parade">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Parade</a><br />
"The Mummers Parade is an American event held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the United States.[1]<br />
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Local clubs (usually called "New Years Associations") compete in one of four categories (comics, fancies, string bands and fancy brigades). They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete."<br />
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Video #2: JONKANOO IN THE BAHAMAS, WEST INDIES <br />
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Saxons Boxing Day Junkanoo 2011 Shirley Street 13 <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AGdPUS_PBAQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Hugomanager, Uploaded on Dec 27, 2011<br />
-snip<br />
Junkanoo is a street parade with music which occurs in many towns across The Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26), New Year's Day and, more recently, in the summer on the island of Grand Bahama. The largest Junkanoo parade happens in Nassau, the capital. There are also Junkanoo parades in Miami in June and Key West in October, where the local black American populations have their roots in the Bahamas.<br />
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Also, click <a href="http://sandyslipper.com/the-history-of-junkanoo-in-the-bahamas/">http://sandyslipper.com/the-history-of-junkanoo-in-the-bahamas/</a> for descriptions of Jonkanoo costumes in the 1930s to date. <br />
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Click <a href="http://www.caribbean.com/cgi-bin/cms/page.cgi?g=detailed/351.html">http://www.caribbean.com/cgi-bin/cms/page.cgi?g=detailed/351.html</a> for information about Jonkanoo in Jamaica.<br />
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Also, click <a href="http://www.melanet.com/johnkankus/roots.html">http://www.melanet.com/johnkankus/roots.html</a> for information about John Canoe [kunering] in North Carolina, USA including this quote:<br />
"The festival was distinctive for its unusual costumes all made out of rags and tatters, found objects and recycled materials. The Jonkonnu members wore masks that were wildly original made from whatever odds and ends the slaves could find. The African-American slaves were some of the first environmentalist creating the entire festival from garbage and genius. The John Conny was also known for the inventing of songs and original chants, loudly and rhythmically performed to the beat of the drums called gumba (gombe) boxes made from animal skins pulled over a frame. <br />
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Other instruments for the celebration were made from animal bones, sticks, reeds, cows' horns and triangles. The basic instruments for a Johnkankus festival in North America were a drum, a reed instrument and a triangle."<br />
-snip-<br />
This description of John Canoe attire & the information about the custom of John Canoe processions going door to door asking for treats is very similar to the attire, early musical instruments, and customs of early Philadelphia Mummers [Then called "shooters"] as found in specific quotes & links given in Part I of this post.<br />
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Video #3: MARDI GRAS INDIANS<br />
Indian Tribes meet in the Treme on Mardi Gras Day <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JlETXBzPgNk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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rabbitfist, Uploaded on Feb 25, 2012 <br />
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Two Indian Tribes meet in the Treme area of New Orleans on Mardi Gras day 2012<br />
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-snip-<br />
Here's some information about the Mardi Gras Indians from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians</a><br />
"Mardi Gras Indians are African-American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel...<br />
<br />
Collectively, their organizations are called "tribes". There are about 38 tribes. They range in size from a half dozen to several dozen members. The tribes are largely independent, but a pair of umbrella organizations loosely coordinate the Uptown Indians and the Downtown Indians.<br />
<br />
<br />
Mardi Gras Indians have been parading in New Orleans at least since the mid-19th century, possibly before. The history of the Mardi Gras Indians is shrouded in mystery and folklore...On Mardi Gras in 1885, fifty to sixty Plains Indians marched in native dress on the streets of New Orleans. Later that year, the first Mardi Gras Indian gang was formed; the tribe was named “The Creole Wild West” and was most likely composed of members of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.[1]...<br />
<br />
Mardi Gras Indian suits cost thousands of dollars in materials alone and can weigh upwards of one hundred pounds.[5] A suit usually takes between six to nine months to plan and complete. Each Indian designs and creates his own suit; elaborate bead patches depict meaningful and symbolic scenes.[6] Beads, feathers, and sequins are integral parts of a Mardi Gras Indian suit. Uptown New Orleans tribes tend to have more sculptural and abstract African-inspired suits; downtown tribes have more pictorial suits with heavy Native American influences.[7]"<br />
-snip-<br />
Click <a href="http://www.jambalayah.com/node/1144">http://www.jambalayah.com/node/1144</a> for an earlier post that I published on this subject on my jambalayah.com cultural website.<br />
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Click <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/mardi-gras-indian-songs-chants">http://cocojams.com/content/mardi-gras-indian-songs-chants</a> for more information about and videos of Mardi Gras Indian songs and chants.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of these videos.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-81739607111253912222013-04-04T18:19:00.001-07:002017-08-11T06:41:15.399-07:00The Black Roots Of The Philadelphia Mummers (Part I)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This is Part I of a two part post on the subject of the Black cultural influences on the costumes of the Philadelphia Mummers. This post provided information about the types of costumes worn by historical Philadelphia Mummers. <br />
<br />
This post also presents videos of five masquerade traditions - Igbo masquerade (Nigeria, West Africa), Burkina Faso, West Africa masquerade , Jonkanoo (Bahamas), Mardi Gras Indians (New Orleans, Lousiana, USA), and Mummers (Philadelphia, Pennslyvania) are also presented in this post. <br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-black-roots-of-philadelphia-mummers_4.html">http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-black-roots-of-philadelphia-mummers_4.html</a> for Part II of this post. <br />
<br />
Part II of this two part post presents additional videos of and information about three parade traditions: The Philadelphia Mummers, The Bahamaian Jonkanoo. Information about Jonkanoo in Jamaica, and in the USA), and the Mardi Gras Indians (New Orleans, USA) is also presented in that post. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
DISCLAIMER: These posts do not imply that African American influences were the only influence on the Philadelphia Mummers parade traditions. Without any question, the Swiss, British and German customs- key among other European Christmas and New Years traditions- influenced the parade traditions & practices of the Philadelphia Mummers.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
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PART I<br />
EDITOR'S COMMENT<br />
It's my position that the Philadelphia Mummers largely patterned their elaborate fancy feathered costumes on the types of costumes that were worn by the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians. The Mardi Gras Indian costumes to a large extent were patterned after the Caribbean Jonkanoo costumes of the Bahamas. I find it hard to believe that it's just a coincidence that those Philadelphia Mummers feathered costumes so closely resemble the Mardi Gras Indian costumes. Furthermore, I believe that those Caribbean Jonkanoo traditions mainly came from West African masquerade traditions such as those in Nigeria. <br />
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GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PHILADELPHIA MUMMERS<br />
From <a href="http://www.phillymummers.com/">http://www.phillymummers.com/</a><br />
"The Philadelphia Mummers Parade features unique costumes, music, and pageantry. Crowds line Broad St., from South Philadelphia straight through Center City. The climax of the parade takes place at City Hall and the PA Convention Center where the official judging takes place. <br />
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The parade itself is one of the longest running traditions in the country. The parade began in 1900 as an official event for the city, however the parade has been going on since the 1800's as a way to celebrate the New Year."<br />
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INFLUENCES ON PHILADELPHIA MUMMERS CUSTOMS<br />
A number of articles about the Philadelphia Mummers parade mention that "The Mummers Parade, which finds its roots dating to pre-colonial times, resulted from a blend of Northern European, British and African American heritages."<br />
<a href="http://brysonnyb.com/history.htm">http://brysonnyb.com/history.htm</a> <br />
<br />
Most of the online articles about the history of the Philadelphia Mummers focus on the Swedish, German and British roots of those parades. The online articles that I've read to date about the African American influence on the Philadelphia Mummers limit their statements about that influence to the following information:<br />
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"African-American cultural elements began to influence the parade in the second half of the nineteenth century. Many mummers paraded with a particular kind of strutting walk that some researchers believe may have been derived from the cakewalk, a nineteenth-century African-American dance that parodied and exaggerated the fancy steps popular in the formal balls of the time. The name came from the custom of awarding a cake to the couple with the best moves. The song “Oh, dem Golden Slippers,” written by African-American composer James Bland in 1879, became very popular with the mummers and today it still serves as a kind of theme song for the parade."<br />
<a href="http://christmas-celebrations.org/167-mummers-parade.html">http://christmas-celebrations.org/167-mummers-parade.html</a><br />
<br />
I believe that the African American influence on the Philadelphia Mummers should also include those paraders' prominent use of the banjo. After all, the stringed musical instrument now known as the banjo originated from West Africa, and was very closely associated with enslaved African Americans.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo</a><br />
<br />
However, the focus of this two part post is on Black roots of the elaborate feather costumes that are worn by divisions of the Philadelphia Mummers.<br />
<br />
Note: While I'm very interested in the subject of the almost total lack of Black people or other People of Color in the Philadelphia Mummers parade since 1929 and the charges of racism or otherwide offensive themes of some Philadelphia Mummers' clubs (in 2004 and in 2013), those topics aren't covered by this post. Information & discussion about those incidents can be found elsewhere on the internet, including this blog post: <a href="http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2013/01/04/mummers-are-willing-to-talk-rationally-about-blackface-so-we-should-too/">http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2013/01/04/mummers-are-willing-to-talk-rationally-about-blackface-so-we-should-too/</a>.<br />
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COSTUMES WORN BY PHILADELPHIA MUMMERS<br />
These quotes are presented in chronological order of the historical periods mentioned, with quotes that refer to the oldest periods given first.<br />
<br />
Citation #1: <a href="http://christmas-celebrations.org/167-mummers-parade.html">http://christmas-celebrations.org/167-mummers-parade.html</a> <br />
"In nineteenth-century Philadelphia all these traditions collided and merged, creating pandemonium in the streets at New Year’s and Christmas. By the 1830s and 1840s, people began to create slightly fancier disguises for their holiday frolics. Some dressed up as blacks or members of other ethnic groups in order to make fun of them, thereby using holiday mumming customs as a way of expressing their fear of or hostility towards certain groups.<br />
<br />
A newspaper ac-count from January 10,1834, describes New Year’s celebrations in the nearby town of Easton:<br />
<blockquote>The Calithumpian band had been uniformed and pressed into service. These commenced their melody about 10 o’clock in the forenoon and made the circuit of the town, playing the most splendid and novel voluntaries and variations. Their dresses displayed taste and ingenuity. All the quarters of the earth appeared to have been ransacked to swell the ranks of the Enterpian band. Indians, Negroes, hunters, Falstaffs, Jim Crows and nondescripts, all displaying surprizing (sic) skill upon their several instruments ... Conch-shells, old cracked instruments, stones, shingles, tin horns, speaking trumpets, here and there a bassoon, old kettles, pot-lids, dozens of cow-bells strung upon poles and iron hoops constituted their musical instruments</blockquote><br />
...As the years went by old clubs died out and new clubs took over. Some old traditions, too, began to fade away. The old simple comic costume — often a coat turned inside out with a sign pinned to it — fell out of favor to be replaced with more elaborate efforts. Another old mummers’ device, a walking stick with some dice attached to the top of it, was eliminated, perhaps out of fears that some might use it as a weapon."<br />
-snip-<br />
It's my contention that the dice attached to walking stick was a minstrel association that alluded to the Sambo stereotype of Black men lazing around playing dice.<br />
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Citation #2: <a href="http://brysonnyb.com/history.htm">http://brysonnyb.com/history.htm</a><br />
"Until the 1900's, almost all masqueraders wore make-shift apparel. However, spirit and imagination provided probable motivations for the revelers to join together in associations to raise money for more elaborate New Year's costumes."<br />
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Citation #3:<br />
<a href="http://brohammas.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/race-is-complicated-mummers/">http://brohammas.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/race-is-complicated-mummers/</a><br />
<br />
“It is thought that the [Philadelphia Mummers] traditions grew out of the British Isles’ mummers plays. There are reports of mocking mummer plays being held in President Washington’s honor while he resided in Philadelphia. In the early 1800’s it was normal to find roving bands of men dressed as clowns causing a ruckus during the holiday season. The tradition was formalized into the parade in 1901, making it America’s oldest continuous folk parade.”<br />
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Citation #4: <a href="http://omalleynyb.com/History.html">http://omalleynyb.com/History.html</a><br />
“The first official [Philadelphia Mummers] parade was held January 1, 1901. The earliest surviving String Band, Trilby, paraded in 1902. In the early years of the official parade, the make-shift costumes of most celebrants were gradually replaced by more elaborate outfits funded by associations’ fund-raising efforts.<br />
<br />
While the Parade has clear African American influences and features a theme song by a black composer, the parade participants are almost all European American.The earliest Parades were not. The all African American Golden Eagle Club, formed in 1866, had 300 members in the 1906 parade. With the nadir, the last black groups marched in 1929.”<br />
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Citation #5: <a href="http://www.2camels.com/philadelphia-mummers-parade.php">http://www.2camels.com/philadelphia-mummers-parade.php</a> <br />
<br />
[After the comic clubs, the first parade division] come the fancy clubs, who wear outlandishly rococo costumes and help create the parade's pageantry. Their origins stem from the early 'masquerades' when slaves dressed in their owners' finery. The string bands follow, playing music as they march along. Finally, the fancy brigades pass by with their elaborate floats.<br />
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Citation #6: <a href="http://iipc.utu.fi/overground/tessler.pdf">http://iipc.utu.fi/overground/tessler.pdf</a> [page 34] <br />
<br />
"Mummers in this era [the late 1890s] began to design elegant and elaborate costumes weeks and months ahead of the e New Years. Initially, these mummers’ outfits, typically of a regal motif, were intended to poke fun at the city’s elite – to hold up a burlesque mirror-image of the ruling class to themselves."<br />
-snip-<br />
This article also mentions "Cooney Cracker". Here's the note given in the book chapter about this character:<br />
Note 4: “Cooney Cracker” was an 18th century American clown figure, often portrayed in blackface, and presumed by his stars-and-stripes outfit to be the predecessor to the more familiar Uncle Sam character of the 20th century (c.f. McGee, 2009)<br />
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Citation #7: <br />
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/philly-s-mummers-parade-traces-its-multi-cultural-roots-to-17th-century-african-american-settlers">http://www.examiner.com/article/philly-s-mummers-parade-traces-its-multi-cultural-roots-to-17th-century-african-american-settlers</a><br />
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“The Mummers are organized into four distinct types of groups: Comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades. All dress in elaborate costumes and incorporate the costumes of the many ethnic groups that have influenced American culture. The parade's pre-colonial roots have been traced to the New Year's celebrations of Northern European and African-American settlers in the mid-1600s. According to the documentary, "Strut," the influence of Southern plantation life is evident in the cakewalk-like "strut" that is the Mummer's signature dance—which is usually performed to African American composer James A. Bland's "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers," a 19th century minstrel song that is played and sung all day long.” <br />
-snip-<br />
This article includes much more biographical information about James A. Bland than is usually found in articles about the Philadelphia Mummers.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
Example #1: Nigeria Igbo Festival of Masquerade [Nigeria, West Africa]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wRsXheeFwzc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Udo Udeogaranya, Published on Jan 14, 2013 <br />
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Example #2: African Art: The Masks of the Gnoumou Family in Boni Perform, 2007 [Burkina Faso, West Africa]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZBXOg30xPaQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Christopher Roy, Uploaded on Jan 24, 2011<br />
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On a market day in the Bwa village of Boni, in central Burkina Faso, West Africa a group of masks perform, including the great plank masks called nwantantay, the leper, hyena, dwarf, antelope, and bush buffalo.<br />
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Example #3: Saxons 2010 Boxing Day Junkanoo 14 <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HwM_2osLWKY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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hugomanager Uploaded on Dec 30, 2010 <br />
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"Saxons" is the name of a Jonkanoo group in the Bahamas.<br />
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Example #4: Super Sunday - New Orleans' Mardi Gras Indians Parade Part 1 by Michal Flisiuk <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7RQ6UFAHZDg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Michal Flisiuk, Uploaded on Mar 18, 2011<br />
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The most significant day for the Mardi Gras Indians is St. Joseph's Day. Around sundown on this day, the Mardi Gras Indians once again dress in their feathers and suits and take to the streets to meet other "gangs." <br />
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Also, the Mardi the Mardi Gras Indian Council and Tambourine and Fan organization put on an annual "Super Sunday" parade on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph's Day.<br />
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Example #5: 1989 Spring Strut Ferko At the Strutters Ball <br />
[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA]<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/B5Uu9DQTTBg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Russ Coleman, Uploaded on Feb 17, 2008<br />
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1989 Spring Strut Ferko At the Strutters Ball<br />
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RELATED LINK<br />
Click <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/comparative-traditions-masquerades.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/comparative-traditions-masquerades.html</a> for a post on African masquerade traditions that I edited and published on my pancocojams cultural blog. <br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to producer and the publisher of the video that is featured in this post. Thanks also to the authors of the quotations featured in this post. <br />
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Thanks for visiting zumalayah.<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-47797539626056342062013-04-02T10:00:00.001-07:002018-10-28T09:56:11.506-07:00Sesame Street Hand Clap Rhymes & Children's Stepping Routines Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcases examples of classic Sesame Street television show clips of Black girls chanting and performing movement routines. The performance activities shown in each of these videos are generally categorized as "hand games" or "hand claps". However, the different way these rhymes are performed suggests that they are examples of different types of children's recreational activities. This post showcases these separate movement activities under the terms that I use for them.<br />
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I don't know what dates these segments first aired on that award winning American produced children's educational series.<a href="http://www.muppetcentral.com/forum/threads/question-about-down-down-baby-rhyme-clapping-game.40490/">http://www.muppetcentral.com/forum/threads/question-about-down-down-baby-rhyme-clapping-game.40490/</a> indicates that the "Down Down Baby" handclap rhyme that is given as Example #1 on this page was "among the [Sesame Street] clips from the 1980s that was nominated in the sites 40th anniversary "greatest clip of all-time" voting section." My guess is that all of these featured videos were all first shown in the 1980s. <br />
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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
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Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
Example #1: Group Hand clap game (Hand game)<br />
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Sesame Street: Handclapping Chants <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5K-FpmUUc7U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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SesameStreet | March 27, 2009 <br />
-snip-<br />
This clip also shows scenes of two girls (partners) doing basically the same hand clap routine that is done in the group. The title of this handclap rhyme is "Down Down Baby" (also known as "Shimmy Shimmy Co Co Pa" or similar sounding titles. Hand clap rhyme routines can also be done with three people (standing or seated facing each other in a triangle shape) or four people (a set of two partners standing or seated facing each other.) <br />
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Most handclap routines include chanting. One exception to this rule is the handclap game called "Slide". More examples of handclap rhymes and videos of handclap routines can be found on this page of my cultural website: <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/handclap-jump-rope-and-elastics-rhymes">http://cocojams.com/content/handclap-jump-rope-and-elastics-rhymes</a> [Hereafter given as Cocojams: Handclap]<br />
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Example #2: Hand slap game <br />
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Sesame Street - Girls play a clapping game <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MoqXl_MIV5Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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wattamack4, 778 videos<br />
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Uploaded on Jul 8, 2007<br />
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Girls play a clapping game, saying the alphabet up to the letter Q.<br />
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Description comes off Muppet wiki.<br />
-snip-<br />
This is an example of a hand slap game called "Quack Diddly Oso" (or similar similar sounding titles). Other hand slap games are "Stella Ella Ola" and "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky". However, versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" are also played as a partner hand game.<br />
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Hand slap games are lightly competitive hand games that are played by a group of people who are standing or seated in a circle. I refer to these games as "hand slap" because of the slapping motions that are characteristic of these games. Unlike many handclap games, a hand slap games have a "winner". More performance instructions for hand slap games, as well as text and video examples of those games can be found under the title "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" in the Cocojams: Handclap page whose link is given above. Examples of "Quack Diddly Oso" can be found on this Cocojams page: <a href="http://www.cocojams.com/content/handclap-jump-rope-and-elastics-rhymes-2">http://www.cocojams.com/content/handclap-jump-rope-and-elastics-rhymes-2</a> <br />
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Example #3: Sesame Street - Two Girls clap out five<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/niBd_xMtjR0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Posted by wattamack4, August 10, 2007<br />
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Editor's Comments About The Remaining Videos:<br />
I believe that videos #4 - #6 are examples of either the performance art that I refer to as "foot stomping cheers" or the performance art that is generally referred to as "stepping" ("steppin"). Stepping and doing foot stomping cheer routines are both synchronized, choreographed movement routines that may include chanting, (individual) handclaps, and foot stomps. Body patting may also be included in both of these types of performance activities. <br />
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The performance arts of stepping and of foot stomping cheer routines were created by and are still most closely associated with African Americans. That said, "stepping" is very similar to the South African gum boot dance. Click <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Q51WVrR40">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Q51WVrR40</a> for a video example of the boot dance. <br />
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It's very likely that foot stomping cheer routines were modeled after the movement art of stepping. Stepping can be dated to the mid 1960s if not earlier. The earliest example of foot stomping cheers that I have found is from the mid 1970s. There are significant differences between stepping and doing foot stomping cheer routines. There are also significant differences between the textual structure of a stepping chant and a foot stomping cheer. <br />
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To be very brief, the foremost difference between stepping and foot stomping cheers is that -until the late 20th century- stepping was a formal, competitive performance that young adults did in separate groups for males and females. In contrast, foot stomping cheer routines are (or were) done mostly by girls between the ages of 7-12 years. Also, stepping involves moving across the floor while persons doing foot stomps usually remain in one spot or, if in a rare foot stomping chant they move away from that spot, they quickly return to it. Furthermore, stepping can be done without chanting, but foot stomping cheers almost always involves chanting. Unfortunately, I've not found any video examples of foot stomping cheers other than the modified routine that is found in the first <i>Bring It On</i> cheerleader movie (2000) and the very exaggerated "Shabooya Roll Call" routine that is found in the cheerleader movie <i>Bring It On All Or Nothing</i> (2006). <br />
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Links to information about and examples of foot stomping cheers, stepping, and Shabooya Roll Call can be found in my pancocojams blog.<br />
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Example #4: Sesame Street - Three Girls clap a song about Vegetables<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CiuMO1EkzU4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Posted by wattamack4, July 31, 2007<br />
-snip-<br />
The idea behind this cheer seems to me to be based on the handclap rhyme "Concentration". However, the movements routine that the girls do is the same as the movements used for many foot stomping cheers routines and stepping performances. <br />
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Example #5: Sesame Street - 6 dance<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7TR0y3zcH7A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Posted by wattamack4, June 23, 2007<br />
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Example #6: Sesame Street - 7 girls slide <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/deeJjNqfIWA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Posted by sesamestreet66, November 20, 2007<br />
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"Seven girls dance to a chant about the number seven" <br />
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Example #6: Sesame Street - Girls clap out a song about K<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wen2YYJ3xHg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Posted by wattamack4, July 11, 2007<br />
-snip-<br />
This cheer has the same lyric structure and tune as the foot stomping cheer entitled "L.O.V.E".<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to the producers & staff of Sesame Street for documenting these children's game routines. Thanks also to the children who are featured in these videos and to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thank you for visiting zumalayah. <br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora. <br />
<br />
Viewer comments are welcome. <br />
<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-45174634687096456222013-04-01T09:41:00.001-07:002017-08-11T06:42:22.827-07:00Ghanaian Children Performing Traditional Dances - Freespirit Dance GroupEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcases traditional Ghanaian dances that are performed by the Ghanaian children's Freespirit Dance Group.<br />
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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Freespirit Dance Group - children from Ghana <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EgbbfmhHmTI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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krystifreespirit, Published on Mar 17, 2012 <br />
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Since 2007, the Freespirit Foundation has been working with children from fishing town Moree (Central Region of Ghana) who are willing to learn and preserve Ghanaian culture, especially traditional local dances. We have established the Freespirit Children's Art Group. We promote African culture within the local community as well as other places through taking part in festivals which attract tourists from every continents.<br />
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Diversity of African cultures, traditions, beliefs, ceremonies is real treasure in today fast changing world. It is important to invest in preservation of this what is unique for Africa. For more info, please visit our website www.fundacjafreespirit.pl<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to the children and youth who are featured in this video and thanks to the adults who organized this group and who work with this group.<br />
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My thanks also to the producer and publisher of this video.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah [zoom-ah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-9328449613699564842013-03-30T11:20:00.006-07:002022-06-01T13:25:15.579-07:00Videos Of Five Traditional Dances From Botswana (Southern Africa)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcases five videos of Traditional Batswana dances. <br />
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The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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While the focus of this post is on the dances which are performed in a line or lines, there are many other aspects of these videos that make them worthy of being shared throughout the world on blogs such as this. <br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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INFORMATION ABOUT BOTSWANA<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana</a><br />
"Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana (Tswana: Lefatshe la Botswana), is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens refer to themselves as "Batswana" (singular: Motswana), but many English-language sources use "Botswanan" instead. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966. It has held free and fair democratic elections since independence.<br />
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Botswana is flat, and up to 70% is covered by the Kalahari Desert. It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Its border with Zambia to the north near Kazungula, Zambia is poorly defined but at most is a few hundred meters long."...<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)<br />
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Example #1 Dikakapa-Tsala<br />
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<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/QxlkJ4AN2f8?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/QxlkJ4AN2f8?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"></embed></object><br />
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4thejuice, Uploaded on May 15, 2008<br />
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ao tsala yame!<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread that provides some information about this song: <br />
Gofha Ronald Molale, 2011 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxlkJ4AN2f8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxlkJ4AN2f8</a><br />
"this song talks about how some FRIENDS-'TSALA' are good for nothing..and the back up singers confirms this by saying..."Oh wel my friend,yes,you my friend!" "<br />
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Example #2: Tshipidi_botswana Botswana culture <br />
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<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/RoOihsklC7A?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/RoOihsklC7A?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"></embed></object><br />
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Emmanuel John, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2009<br />
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Botswana is made up of numerous ethnic groups, though the Batswana are the most numerous. Music is an omnipresent part of Botswana culture, and include popular and folk forms. Church choirs are common across the country. Music education is an integral part of the educational system. Children of all ages are taught traditional songs and dances.<br />
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Example #3: TSABANA - MAKHIRIKHIRI<br />
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<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/VLWeBK9pgiw?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/VLWeBK9pgiw?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"></embed></object><br />
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TheUwazi, Uploaded on Jun 6, 2010<br />
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Jionee mwenyewe burudani iliyomo katika songi hili la Tsabana kutoka katika kundi mahiri la Makhirikhiri la nchini Botswana, ambalo kwasasa bado lipo hapa nchini likiendelea kukonga nyonyo za wapenzi wa burudani.<br />
-snip-<br />
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread which explains what this song is about: <br />
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alecshapiro, 2011 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWeBK9pgiw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWeBK9pgiw</a><br />
"Tsa Bana is a Botswana phrase meaning For Children It's a name for a supplementary feeding product supplied by the Botswana Government Once a month you carry your under 5 kid to the clinic for checkups and you get a 5kg bag.It was meant for low income families who cannot properly feed their babies. The product is made of Soya beans, maize meal and fortified powdered cow milk.It was meant for children, BUT it has been a big hit with ADULTS too. That is the story behind the song"<br />
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Example #4: Traditional Dance Troupe, Tlokweng Botswana <br />
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<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/xf1fgCe0Aig?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/xf1fgCe0Aig?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"></embed></object> <br />
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Uploaded by kimmy28bots on Jul 23, 2011<br />
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A team of young local dancers entertain the crowd with an exciting piece of traditional setswana dance during a wedding inTlokweng..Enjoy the scincillating performance!<br />
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Example #5: culture ambassodors botswana <br />
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<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/DVFzIboZxts?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/DVFzIboZxts?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"></embed></object><br />
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katlie5, Uploaded on Feb 24, 2012 <br />
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traditional dance group<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to the composers of these songs, and thanks to all of the dancers, vocalists, and musicians in these featured videos. My thanks also to the commenters who are quoted in this post as well as the producers of and publishers of these videos.<br />
<br />
Also, thank you for visiting zumalayah [pronounced zoom-ah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Viewer comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-38018323509345146382013-03-29T09:24:00.047-07:002022-06-04T07:58:12.009-07:00Dana Divine - Gospel Slide (Video & Lyrics)Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcases a video of the 2006 Gospel line dance song "Gospel Slide". This post also includes my comments about Gospel line dancing and my transcription of the lyrics to Dana Divine's song. <br />
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The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, religious, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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COMMENTS ABOUT GOSPEL LINE DANCING<br />
Contemporary line dancing is a choreographed form of group dancing that incorporates a repeating sequence of fixed steps. In the United States these contemporary group dances are done in horizontial lines. Since the 1950s in the United States line dancing has been usually done to recorded music. Any song may be used for line dancing. However, some line dance songs are instructional songs, meaning that the lyrics song used for the dance consists of directions for that particular dance. Learning the steps to that dance is faciliated because those lyrics giving the steps to the dance are repeated throughout the song. <br />
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Dana Divine's "Gospel Slide" is an example of an instructional dance song in the Gospel line dance sub-genre.<br />
<br />
Gospel line dancing is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States. It's my sense that Gospel line dancing begun in 1997 as a result of the popularity of Kirk Franklin's hit Gospel record "Stomp".** To be clear, the dancing movements in that video may not have been line dancing, but that record helped to legitimize the idea in the United States of doing social R&B/Hip Hop dancing to religious music. The only difference between Gospel line dancing and non-Gospel line dancing, is that Gospel line dancing is done to Gospel music. <br />
<br />
In the late 20th century United States a number of African American and non- African American churches begun to recognize dance ministries, including mime, as part of their approved list of church ministries. R&B/Hip Hop dances weren't acceptable forms of dancing for these ministries. Instead, those Christian dance groups and mimes performed modern dancing, ballet, and - less often - African dancing. <br />
<br />
The recorded music used for those performance may be religious music or other, usually slow examples of popular music. Gospel line dancing and Gospel stepping (also given as "steppin")*** are other more recent forms of Christian dance ministry. (Gospel stepping and Gospel line dancing are equivalent terms for some, but not all forms of Gospel steppin.) However people who Gospel line dance (or Gospel step) don't consider these as being part of a dance ministry, but as activities that people engage in for exercise and for social fellowship. <br />
<br />
Proponets of Gospel line dancing regularly remind those opposed to that activity that the Bible mentions David dancing before the Lord. Proponents of Gospel line dancing also remind people that Gospel line dancing (and dance ministries in general) are a way of attracting young people to the church and a way of helping retaining them in the church. In spite of the fact that some Christians still consider dancing to religious music to be an anathema, Gospel line dance songs are an increasingly popular form of Gospel music. Songs like Dana Divine's Gospel Slide use the same beats as R&B/Hip Hop music, and include such familiar phrases in their lyrics from R&B music as "throw your hands up" and "back it up". Dana Divine's record also gives a nod to Kirk Franklin's "Stomp". Her repeated instruction to "turn yourself around" is lifted from "The Hokey Pokey", a children's singing game that is well known in the United States. <br />
<br />
* Examples of 1950s & 1960s American line dances are The Madison, The Stroll, and The Hulley Gulley. <br />
<br />
** Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AdYnFY_bZ0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AdYnFY_bZ0</a> for a video of Kirk Franklin & God's Property's "Stomp".<br />
<br />
*** Click <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-videos">http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-videos</a>for information and examples of steppin.<br />
<br />
FEATURED VIDEO - g slide by Dane Divine [gospel slide] <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kX0imphL4SI" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
soulmuzick, Uploaded on Jan 20, 2008 <br />
<br />
Gospel Slide Demonstration for those that want to know how to do it.<br />
<br />
-snip-<br />
This song is also referred to as the "g slide". However, it should be noted that there is a 2007 Hip Hop song called the "G Slide (Bus Tour) by Lil Mama. Click <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/lil-mama-g-slide-tour-bus-video-lyrics.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/lil-mama-g-slide-tour-bus-video-lyrics.html</a> for a post on my pancocojams blog about this song.<br />
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LYRICS - GOSPEL SLIDE<br />
(Dana Divine)<br />
<br />
Choir:<br />
Let’s praise the Lord<br />
It’s time to get down. [sing this entire portion 2x]<br />
<br />
Lead: Calling all saints* to the dance floor.<br />
Calling all saints to the dance floor.<br />
We’re gonna Gospel slide and<br />
give the devil a fit.<br />
Just come on and bring your good time with ya.<br />
Put on your dancing shoes<br />
Because the Scripture says<br />
“Exalt Him. Praise Him with songs and dance.”<br />
Callin all saints to join me in the Jesus apostles march<br />
<br />
Two times to the right.<br />
Two times to the left.<br />
Throw your hands up.<br />
Now stomp that devil down. Right foot<br />
to the front.<br />
Left foot, back it up<br />
Two rocks to the right<br />
And turn yourself around<br />
<br />
Now two times to the right.<br />
Two times to the left.<br />
Throw your hands up.<br />
Now stomp that devil down. Right foot<br />
to the front.<br />
Left foot, back it up.<br />
Two rocks to the right.<br />
And turn yourself around.<br />
Don’t stop.<br />
<br />
Choir [continues singing while Lead gives instructions]<br />
Let’s praise the Lord.<br />
It’s time to get down.<br />
<br />
Lead: To the left<br />
Throw your hands up.<br />
Stomp!<br />
Right foot to the front.<br />
Left foot back it up.<br />
Two rocks to the right.<br />
Now turn yourself around.<br />
<br />
To the right, clap your hands.<br />
To the left, clap your hands.<br />
Raise your arms, wave your hands.<br />
Now stomp that devil in.<br />
<br />
To the front, clap your hands.<br />
Back it up, clap your hands. Hands together.<br />
Pray, rock it out and turn around.<br />
To the right, clap your hands<br />
To the left, clap your hands<br />
Throw your arms up.<br />
Wave your hands.<br />
Now stomp that devil in.<br />
<br />
To the front, clap your hands.<br />
Back it up and clap your hands. Hands together.<br />
Pray, rock it out and turn around, and sing:<br />
<br />
I wanna get pumped** for Christ.<br />
I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
You sing:<br />
(Choir sings): <br />
I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
Lead: Come on now.<br />
I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
Your turn.<br />
Choir: I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
I wanna get pumped for Christ.<br />
<br />
Lead: Come on.<br />
To the right. To the left. <br />
<br />
Choir [sings in the background]<br />
Let’s praise the Lord.<br />
It’s time to bow down.<br />
<br />
Lead: Throw your hands up<br />
Now stomp.<br />
To the front, y’all.<br />
Back it up, y’all.<br />
Rock it out, turn around. Pay attention.<br />
<br />
To the right, barack<br />
To the left, barack.<br />
Throw your hands up. <br />
Shabbat<br />
On the devil we stomp. Right foot<br />
to the front, left foot back it up.<br />
Feel the Holy Ghost<br />
and turn yourself around.<br />
To the right, barak.<br />
To the left, barak.<br />
Throw your hands up and sha bock. <br />
On the devil we stomp. Right foot<br />
to the front, left foot back it up.<br />
Feel the Holy Ghost. <br />
And turn yourself around.<br />
<br />
Lead: Hallelujah!<br />
Choir: Shabbat!<br />
Lead: Praise the Lord.<br />
Choir: Barak! [sing this entire portion 4x]<br />
<br />
Lead: Here we go now.<br />
Choir [continues singing in the background]<br />
Let's praise the Lord.<br />
It’s time to bow down.<br />
<br />
Lead: To the right.<br />
To the left.<br />
Throw your hands up.<br />
Now stomp that devil down. <br />Right foot to the front.<br />
Left foot, back it up<br />
and turn yourself around.<br />
<br />
One time to the right<br />
and hop.<br />
One time to the left<br />
and hop.<br />
Throw your hands up.<br />
Turn around.<br />
Now stomp that devil down. <br />Right foot to the front. <br />Left foot, back it up.<br />
Rock it out to the right.<br />
And turn yourself around. <br />
One time to the right and hop.<br />
One time to the left and hop.<br />
Throw your hands up. Turn around. <br />
Now stomp that devil down. <br />Right foot to the front. <br />Left foot, back it up.<br />
Rock it out to the right.<br />
And turn yourself around.<br />
<br />
Choir: Praise Him.<br />
Lead: We gotta praise Him.<br />
Choir: We love Him.<br />
Lead: ‘Cause we love Him.<br />
Choir: Show Him.<br />
Lead: We gotta show Him.<br />
Choir: You need Him.<br />
Lead: That you need Him.<br />
<br />
Choir: Praise Him.<br />
Lead: We gotta praise Him.<br />
Choir: We love Him.<br />
Lead: ‘Cause we love Him.<br />
Choir: Show Him.<br />
Lead: We gotta show Him.<br />
Choir: You need Him.<br />
Lead: That you need Him.<br />
<br />
Choir [continues singing in the background]<br />
Let Praise the Lord.<br />
It’s time to bow down.<br />
<br />
Lead: To the right.<br />
Choir [sings in the background]<br />
Praise the Lord.<br />
It’s time to bow down.<br />
Lead: To the left.<br />
Throw your hands up.<br />
Now stomp that devil down. <br />Right foot to the front.<br />Left foot, back it up, y’all.<br />
Rock it out and turn yourself around.<br />
To the right, to the left. <br />
Throw your hand up.<br />
Now stomp!<br />
To the front, y’all.<br />
Back it up, y’all.<br />
Rock it out!<br />
And turn yourself around.<br />
<br />
-snip-<br />
Transcription by Azizi Powell. Additions and corrections are welcome.<br />
<br />
NOTES ON SOME TERMS FOUND IN THIS SONG <br />Saints - Christians<br />
<br />**<br />getting pumped - getting excited<br />
<br />**<br />barak - Hebrew word meaning "to bless God", to kneel in adoration to God<br />
<br />**<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">shabbat - Hebrew word meaning "He rested".<br />From <a href="https://www.alephbeta.org/shabbat/what-is-the-sabbath">https://www.alephbeta.org/shabbat/what-is-the-sabbath</a><br />..."<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.15008px; text-align: justify;">The Torah tells us that God created the world in six days, and on the seventh He rested – which means “Shabbat,” in Hebrew. Later on, after God took the Israelites out of Egypt and gave them the Torah at Mt. Sinai, He commanded them to keep Shabbat – to desist from all labor every seventh day, just as He did. But this command is not some meaningless call for mimicry. It’s a way of recognizing where the world came from, and it gives us time away from the daily grind to focus on becoming a little closer to God.</span></span><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.15008px; line-height: 1.75; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of the little details of Shabbat all connect back to this central idea: acknowledging that God is the Creator of all."...</span></p>**<br />Feel the Holy Ghost- on this instruction in the video, the dancers put their right hand over their heart, raise their left hand chest height, and slowly turned around. <br />
<br />****<br />
RELATED LINKS<br />
Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-swSwt1B7ks">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-swSwt1B7ks</a> for a video of a Gospel line group dancing to Dana Divine's "Gospel Slide". <br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGPaWyGv_0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGPaWyGv_0</a> for a video of a Gospel steppin group dancing to Dana Divine's "Gospel Slide". <br />
<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to Dana Divine for composing & performing this song. Thanks also to the other vocalists and to the musicians and line dancers who are featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers and publisher of this videos.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah [zoom-ah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-46473620333288907982013-03-28T13:45:00.002-07:002017-08-11T06:44:44.619-07:00A Traditional Dance From Zambia That Reminds Me Of Fraternity SteppingEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This post showcases a traditional dance performed by young men in Zambia, South Africa.<br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
FEATURED VIDEO: Muganda Dance<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v47kNLyxlxY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Mwizenge Tembo, Uploaded on Jul 12, 2008 [The dancing begins at 2:20]<br />
<br />
Muganda Dance of the Tumbuka people of Lundazi District in Eastern Zambia in Southern Africa. Muganda is a culturally gende-specific dance for young men. Kamzati Village Dancers in Chief Magodi in the North-Western region of Lundazi.<br />
-snip-<br />
The young men dance in a line. One young man's shirt has blue & red fringe while the other members have red. Much of the time that man, who appears to be the group's leader, either dances to the right side of the other members or in back of them.<br />
<br />
Here's a comment from that video's viewer comment thread:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v47kNLyxlxY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v47kNLyxlxY</a><br />
"Am a tumbuka 4rm northern malawi, we used to dance this as well! we ve same language n culture, TITEMWANENGE WANGANYA,TILI WAMOZA<br />
-gampha80, 2009<br />
<br />
****<br />
My Editorial Comment:<br />
<br />
This traditional African dance very strongly reminds me of the performance movement art of stepping ("Steppin").<br />
<br />
Stepping' was developed by and is still closely associated with historically Black (African American) university based fraternities and sororities. However, since the late 20th century there are numerous other step teams in universities, schools, and churches. The United States army even has a step team.<br />
<br />
I wish that some step masters [choreographers for step routines] would check out this video of these Zambian brothers, and incorporate into their step routines some but not all of these traditional moves. Of course if they did so, I would hope that those step teams would give the originators of those steps their due respect and acknowledgement. <br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-videos">http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-videos</a> for videos of step shows and the African American orginated performance activity of "strolling" (also known as "party walks").<br />
<br />
****<br />
Thanks for visiting zumalayah [zoom-ah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-9369221617471178222013-03-28T01:59:00.002-07:002017-08-11T06:45:31.554-07:00Dancing Customs At Ghana's World Damba Celebrations, Part IIEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This is Part II of a two part series on dancing that is performed during the Damba festival in Northern Ghana, West Africa and dancing that is performed in the World Damba celebrations in Europe & in the United States.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://zumlala.blogspot.com/2013/03/dancing-customs-at-ghanas-damba.html">http://zumlala.blogspot.com/2013/03/dancing-customs-at-ghanas-damba.html</a> for Part I of this series.<br />
<br />
Part I provides some information about Damba, my editorial comments, and two videos of Damba celebrations in Northern Ghana.<br />
<br />
Part II provides four videos of celebrations of Damba by Ghanaians & non-Ghanaians outside of Ghana, West Africa. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
DISCLAIMER AND EDITORIAL NOTE<br />
I know nothing about the Damba festival other than what I've read or I've seen online. <br />
<br />
There are many aspects of these videos which would be of interests to persons interested in African culture, for instance, the musical instruments that are used & the music that is produced by those instruments & by human voices. Other points of interests for viewers of these videos may be the traditional clothing that is worn, ihcluding female headwraps, and male hats, and the fact that, particularly some of the males in these videos are wearing Western clothing. However, in keeping with this blog's theme, I'm particularly interested in showcasing the processional movements, the circular dances, and the line dances that found in these videos. <br />
<br />
I'm interested in noting what appear to me to be similarities between different cultures & particularly similarities between African cultures & cultures of the African Diaspora. For that reason, it occurs to me that the large swirling umbrellas held over Ghanaian dignitary in some of the videos featured in Part II of this series might be a source of the individually held colorful umbrellas which are sometimes swirled by Mardi Gras paraders in New Orleans, Louisiana and the Galveston, Texas, and by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mummers. <br />
<br />
Furthermore, these featured videos document the custom of placing money (if not "spraying money") on or near the forehead of a dignitary or dancer. I'm tempted to cite the times of those occurrences in these videos, but will refrain from doing so as I will refrain from including any other comments about those featured videos.<br />
<br />
Please be aware that at least one YouTube video of the Damba festival [actually the same video with two different titles] contains scenes that probably would be considered inappropriate for use in American public schools. I posted a comment identifying those videos by name in Part I of this post. <br />
<br />
****<br />
INFORMATION ABOUT DAMBA<br />
From nickfghana7 [publisher's comment]<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoM0jjcNcnQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoM0jjcNcnQ</a><br />
"WORLD DAMBA FESTIVAL" (video posted in Part II of this zumalala blog series)<br />
"Damba is a music, dance, and festival that is celebrated annually by the following ethnic groups in Northern Ghana: Dagbamba, Nanumba, Mamprusi, Gonja, Wala and Kusasi. These remarks focus on the Dagbamba of Dagbon, the kingdom of the Dagbamba people. the word Damba originated from a Dagbani word "Dam-manga" or "Dam-maa amanga". These two words are of the same meaning, that is to either shake oneself or to initiate a dance movement. Dance, in general, reflects the cultural ideas of the people and the Damba is no exception."<br />
-snip-<br />
Additional information about Damba is provided in Part I of this series. <br />
<br />
****<br />
FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(THese videos are posted with few editorial comments and with no descriptions.)<br />
<br />
Example #1: World DAMBA Festival 2010: Part 1 - Led by Kpan-Naa <br />
M.B. Bawah, courtesy Knowledge & Skills Share <br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r1BXPkWbtPc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
natogmah1, Uploaded on Jan 13, 2011<br />
<br />
DAMBA Festival 2010 Part 1<br />
-snip-<br />
One video of this celebration indicated that it occurred in Brussels, Belgium. However, another video of this celebration indicates that it occurred in Amsterdam, The Netherland.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0cg2WaYsIA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0cg2WaYsIA</a> for Part II of this video.<br />
<br />
****<br />
Example #2: Damba 2011 in The Netherlands <br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-T1kG_uT84Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Abukari Abass Uploaded on Aug 31, 2011 <br />
damba 2011 in Amsterdam<br />
-snip-<br />
Here is a transcription of the text that is superimposed in the beginning of this video:<br />
"The World Damba Festival 2011 was proudly organized and presented by Knowledge and Skill Share (KSS) Foundation on Saturday April 16, 2011, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.<br />
<br />
Led by:<br />
His Majesty Nibun-Naa Yakubu Andani, Paramount Chief of Nibun in the Dagbon Traditional Area of Ghana.<br />
<br />
Motto of the World Damba Festival:<br />
Using culture as a tool for development<br />
<br />
Theme of the World Damba Festival 2011:<br />
Using Damba Festival as a tool for building peace and for fostering unity in our society: with special reference to Northern Ghana"<br />
<br />
****<br />
Example #3: World Damba Festival 2011 - Part 1 - Led by Ninbun-Naa Yakubu Andani - Courtesy KSS Foundation <br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/njODe21903Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
natogmah, Uploaded on Nov 19, 2011<br />
<br />
African Cultural Dance (JERA) from Ghana - performed in The Netherlands in April 2011<br />
-snip-<br />
Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD3WgNIHAso">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD3WgNIHAso</a> for Part II of this video. <br />
<br />
**** <br />
Example #4: WORLD DAMBA FESTIVAL <br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QoM0jjcNcnQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
nickfghana7, Published on Sep 26, 2012 <br />
<br />
Damba is a music, dance, and festival that is celebrated annually by the following ethnic groups in Northern Ghana: Dagbamba, Nanumba, Mamprusi, Gonja, Wala and Kusasi. These remarks focus on the Dagbamba of Dagbon, the kingdom of the Dagbamba people. the word Damba originated from a Dagbani word "Dam-manga" or "Dam-maa amanga". These two words are of the same meaning, that is to either shake oneself or to initiate a dance movement. Dance, in general, reflects the cultural ideas of the people and the Damba is no exception.<br />
<br />
****<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all the musicians and dancers who are featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers & the publishers of these videos.<br />
<br />
Thank you for visiting zumalayah [zoom-mah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Viewer comments are welcome.<br />
Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-68777640178592508342013-03-28T01:39:00.001-07:002017-08-11T06:46:02.005-07:00Dancing Customs At Ghana's Damba Festival (Video & Information), Part I Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
<br />
This is Part I of a two part series on dancing that is performed during the Damba festival in Northern Ghana, West Africa and dancing that is performed in the World Damba celebrations in Europe & in the United States.<br />
<br />
Part I provides some information about Damba, my editorial comments, and two videos of Damba celebrations in Northern Ghana.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://zumlala.blogspot.com/2013/03/dancing-customs-at-ghanas-world-damba.html">http://zumlala.blogspot.com/2013/03/dancing-customs-at-ghanas-world-damba.html</a> for Part II of this series.<br />
<br />
Part II provides additional videos of celebrations of Damba by Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians outside of West Africa. <br />
<br />
The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
<br />
All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
<br />
****<br />
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
<br />
Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
<br />
****<br />
DISCLAIMER AND EDITORIAL NOTE<br />
I know nothing about the Damba festival other than what I've read or I've seen online. <br />
<br />
There are many aspects of these videos which would be of interests to persons interested in African culture, for instance, the musical instruments that are used & the music that is produced by those instruments & by human voices. Other points of interests for viewers of these videos may be the traditional clothing that is worn, ihcluding female headwraps, and male hats, and the fact that, particularly some of the males in these videos are wearing Western clothing. However, in keeping with this blog's theme, I'm particularly interested in showcasing the processional movements, the circular dances, and the line dances that found in these videos. <br />
<br />
In 2011 I published a post on my pancocojams blog that is entitled "Comparative Traditions - Masquerades & Whirling Dances" <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/comparative-traditions-masquerades.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/comparative-traditions-masquerades.html</a>. That post features videos of masquerades and/or whirling dances of Nigeria, Benin, Egypt, Turkey, as well as the obby os tradition of Padstow, Cornwall (United Kingdom) and the Minehead hobby horse traditions of Minehead, Somerset, United Kingdom. Had I known then about Northern Ghana's Damba festival, I would have also included videos that highlight the whirling style of dancing which I've seen in some Damba dancing. <br />
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INFORMATION ABOUT DAMBA<br />
From nickfghana7 [publisher's comment]<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoM0jjcNcnQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoM0jjcNcnQ</a><br />
"WORLD DAMBA FESTIVAL" (video posted in Part II of this zumalala blog series)<br />
"Damba is a music, dance, and festival that is celebrated annually by the following ethnic groups in Northern Ghana: Dagbamba, Nanumba, Mamprusi, Gonja, Wala and Kusasi. These remarks focus on the Dagbamba of Dagbon, the kingdom of the Dagbamba people. the word Damba originated from a Dagbani word "Dam-manga" or "Dam-maa amanga". These two words are of the same meaning, that is to either shake oneself or to initiate a dance movement. Dance, in general, reflects the cultural ideas of the people and the Damba is no exception."<br />
-snip-<br />
From <a href="http://worlddamba2012.org/festival/">http://worlddamba2012.org/festival/</a><br />
"Damba (pronounced Dahm-BAH) is the most important annual festival of the various ethnic groups whose homelands are located in what is now the Northern Region of Ghana. These peoples include the Gonja, Dagomba, Nanumba, and Mamprusi. In northern Ghana, the Damba Festival is the celebratory highlight of the year, akin to the Christian Easter or the Jewish High Holy Days.<br />
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The Damba Festival has four different components. First, it is a Muslim festival that commemorates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. Second, it is a political festival that provides occasion for giving homage to traditional chiefs. Third, it is a family festival during which individuals return home to affirm familial bonds. And fourth, it is a development festival that provides leaders the opportunity to communicate with members of the community in regards to enhancing the economic and social needs of the people."...<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
Example #1: The Damba Dance From Northern Ghana <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/N9rTyixMH0Q?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/N9rTyixMH0Q?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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Gameli Tordzro, Uploaded on Jul 24, 2009<br />
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A section of the Ghana Dance Ensemble The National Dance company of Ghana performing one of the many traditional dance forms in Ghana West Africa. <br />
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Example #2: Damba in Damongo.MOV <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/D-9wPRuF5P8?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/D-9wPRuF5P8?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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ronald4138, Published on Mar 9, 2012 <br />
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Damba-Festival (anlässlich des Geburtstages des Propheten Mohammed) in Damongo, Northern Region Ghana. Finale am Morgen des 11.02.2012.<br />
© by the Austrian Volunteers: Jamilala, Sakauli, Keniti and Bancluso/ SOB Pinkafeld<br />
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WARNING<br />
Please be aware that at least one video of the Damba festival [actually the exact same video with two different titles] contains scenes that probably would be considered inappropriate for use in American public schools. Those videos are entitled "OBUASI DAMBA FESTIVAL 2012.mpg" and "DAMBA FESTIVAL" and both are posted by ISAAC ADJEI. I found the majority of that video to be quite interesting to watch. Among the scenes in that video are villagers performing various types of dancing, including males doing a "follow the leader", zig zagging, prancing/leaping kind of dance. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the last minute and forty seconds of those video/s show scenes of a man engaging in self-inflicted injuries & other behaviours, presumably as an act of faith. Those scenes make that video inappropriate for posting on this blog. Viewers be aware if you are surfing YouTube for Damba videos. <br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all the musicians and dancers who are featured in these videos. My thanks also to the producers & the publishers of these videos.<br />
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Thank you for visiting zumalayah [zoom-mah-LAH-yah].<br />
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Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
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Viewer comments are welcome.<br />
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Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-50188266846651745242013-03-27T13:20:00.000-07:002017-08-11T06:46:31.229-07:00Bethune Cookman Univ. & South Carolina State Univ. @ 2012 Honda Battle of the BandsEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcases two historically Black university marching bands that performed at the 2012 Honda Battle Of The Bands. This post also provides information about the Honda Battle Of The Bands.<br />
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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
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Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE HONDA BATTLE OF THE BANDS<br />
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Battle_of_the_Bands">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Battle_of_the_Bands</a><br />
"The Honda Battle of the Bands (sometimes abbreviated The Honda or HBOB) is an annual marching band exhibition in the United States which features performances by bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Sponsored by the American Honda Motor Company, the Invitational Showcase takes place in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia in late January.<br />
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The Honda Battle of the Bands Celebration Tour takes place between the months of September and November at regular season football games, although Honda Battle of the Bands (and its abbreviations) is often intended to refer only to the invitational showcase, which first took place in 2003. Seemingly contradictory to the name, Honda's "battle" is not a competition in the traditional sense; that is, no winner is crowned during the event. Rather, the bands compete for the favor of the audience, each other, and the greater community."<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in alphabetical order.)<br />
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Example #1: Bethune Cookman @ 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands<br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/uqabbOTE3Xo?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/uqabbOTE3Xo?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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MarchingsportHD, Uploaded on Jan 31, 2012 <br />
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Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqabbOTE3Xo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqabbOTE3Xo</a> to read comments from this video's viewer comment thread.<br />
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Example #2: South Carolina State University- 2012 Honda BOTB Fieldshow <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/plJGWH1dgf4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/plJGWH1dgf4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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BANDTUBEdotCOM, Uploaded on Jan 31, 2012<br />
-snip-<br />
Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plJGWH1dgf4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plJGWH1dgf4</a> to read comments from this video's viewer comment thread.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to all those who are affiliated with these featured bands, with the Honda Battle Of The Bands. and with all of the other bands who performed at that event.<br />
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Thanks also to the publishers of these videos.<br />
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Thank you for visiting zumalayah [zoom-mah-LAH-yah].<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Viewer comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
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Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-77347617075822313322013-03-27T06:17:00.001-07:002017-08-11T06:46:57.163-07:00Black Drill Teams - Nation Of Islam StyleEdited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcase five videos of Nation Of Islam drill teams.<br />
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For a related post, click <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/09/nation-of-islam-drill-team-videos.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/09/nation-of-islam-drill-team-videos.html</a>. That post which is published on my pancocojams blog showcases nine videos of Nation of Islam Drill teams. (Video #2 in this post is also included in that earlier post.) That post also includes information about the Nation Of Islam's Savior's Day convention, an annual convention during which these drill teams competitions occurs.<br />
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The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
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Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)<br />
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Example #1: F.O.I. Drill Team <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/WXal1CGaISQ?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/WXal1CGaISQ?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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MosqueNo7, Uploaded on Apr 29, 2008 <br />
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www.Mosque7.org <br />
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The Mighty F.O.I. of The Nation Of Islam. Drilling is The Exercise of The Gods!...<br />
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Example #2: FOI Drill Team, MM#1B, West London, UK, 1997<br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/ThVX8PhjoeY?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/ThVX8PhjoeY?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by quintillion2black on Jan 4, 2012<br />
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FOI Drill Team, Nation of Islam, Muhammad Mosque 1B, West London, UK, 1997.<br />
-snip-<br />
Click <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/black-drill-teams">http://cocojams.com/content/black-drill-teams</a> for my transcription of this chant. That post also includes additional videos of other African American drill teams. <br />
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Example #3: 2012 Saviour's Day Drill Competition/Chicago FOI <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/iu7nKvaG2PU?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/iu7nKvaG2PU?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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Dmindjewels, Published on Apr 5, 2012<br />
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This video was uploaded from an Android phone.<br />
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Example #4: 2013 Saviours' Day Drill Competition Promo <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/NvEJPmjH-0Y?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/NvEJPmjH-0Y?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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Karriem Muhammad, Published on Jan 15, 2013<br />
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Saviours' Day Drill Competition 2013 Coming This Saviours' Day <br />
For More Information visit www.noi.org<br />
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Example #5: Nation of Islam Drill Team<br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/HWp9XLZ8NM4?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/HWp9XLZ8NM4?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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QueenZim365,Published on Feb 18, 2013<br />
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This is the Nation of Islam's drill team.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
Thanks to the members of these featured drill teams, and thanks to the authors of the article that is quoted in this post.<br />
My thanks also to the publishers of these videos.<br />
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Thank you for visiting zumalala. [zoom-ah-LAH-lah]<br />
<br />
Zumalala showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
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Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233519036336034883.post-75689309662092858202013-03-26T11:18:00.000-07:002017-08-11T06:47:30.315-07:00Similarities Between A Zulu Dance & American Stomp & Shake Routines <br />
Edited by Azizi Powell<br />
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This post showcases a video of Zulu [South African] young women auditioning for a spot in a dance troupe, and a video of a stomp & shake cheerleading squad from a historically Black American university.<br />
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I don't know what those Zulu women were saying. However, their short flared skirts, their self-confident in-your-face confrontational way of chanting as well as their body stances and hip shaking movements remind me of stomp & shake cheerleaders. What do you think?<br />
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The content of this post is presented for entertainment and aesthetic purposes.<br />
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All copyrights remain with their owners.<br />
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EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG<br />
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for <a href="https://pancocojams.blogspot.com">https://pancocojams.blogspot.com</a>, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.<br />
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Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.<br />
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FEATURED VIDEOS<br />
(Posted without editorial comments or transcriptions)<br />
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Example #1: Zulu girls nana <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/AKV1mv24du0?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/AKV1mv24du0?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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magicjohan, Uploaded on May 31, 2009 <br />
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Audition video for Johan Yssel Global Africa Entertainment<br />
-snip-<br />
Unfortunately, this visuals in this video are difficult to see. However, you can still get a sense <br />
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Example #2: WSSU Red Team Cheerleaders NC Stomp & Shake Competition <br />
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<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/2VMmXGEx9rM?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/2VMmXGEx9rM?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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Kiaerica Krishelle, Published on Feb 23, 2013<br />
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WSSU opening up the show at the FIRST annual Stomp n Shake cheerleading competition on Saturday 2/23/2013<br />
-snip-<br />
WSSU = Winston-Salem State University {Winston-Salem, North Carolina)<br />
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The words to some of these cheers can be found on this page of my Cocojams cultural website: <a href="http://cocojams.com/content/stomp-and-shake-cheerleader-cheers">http://cocojams.com/content/stomp-and-shake-cheerleader-cheers</a>. That page also includes information, text examples, videos,and comments about university level stomp & shake cheerleading. A link is also provided on that page to another Cocojams cheerleading cheers page which includes examples of children's and teenagers' stomp & shake cheerleading cheers.<br />
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS<br />
My thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to those who produced those videos and published them on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Thank you for visiting zumalayah. [zoom-ah-LAH-yah]<br />
<br />
Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.<br />
<br />
<br />
Visitor comments are welcome.Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com0