About African Dancing

Instruments of all types play an important role in African dance.

The rich past of African dancing extends back prior to colonization by white settlers on the continent and holds significant historical and cultural meaning to the native people of Africa. When African slaves were brought to the United States, they brought with them the culture of their dance, which went on to form the basis of much of the twentieth century's popular musical traditions.

Instruments

Due to precolonial migration, wars and cross-cultural interaction between various tribes in Africa, the music involved in African dance borrows influences from across the continent. Rattles, xylophones, flutes and trumpets are all important types of instruments in African dance. Additionally, a variety of drums and stringed instruments play a role. Instruments for different dances are chosen based the dramatic possibilities they offer, as well as their symbolic importance and melodic capabilities.

Significance

Dance is an important part of African culture because movement plays such a vital role in communication. Some historical styles of dance, such as the Adzohu style, were important in preparation for war, while others, like the Agbekor style, played a role at social gatherings and funerals. African dances such as Anyako Atsia, Togo Atsia, NanDom Bawa, Gahu, Tokoe, Takada and Gadzo have roots in religious ceremonies of the past, but are primarily used at social gatherings as ways to express one's self and to interact. Many religious and ritual dance styles remain, however, such as the Agovu, Sovu, Sogba and Afa.

Body Movement

Many gestures of African dance hold symbolic significance. Dance employs miming, and the movements may be either complex or very simple. Some dances might mimic battle tactics, with dancers imitating combat moves, attack movements and reconnaissance missions. Other dances may mimic the day-to-day life of the dancer, with movements inspired by domestic chores. African dance is known for utilizing all parts of the body, and fluidity of movement is an important characteristic.

Participants

Some dances are open to everyone, while some are segregated by sex. Other dances require groups of specific numbers to participate, while still others require the use of a full team of participants. Participants in the dance form lines, circles and columns. Occasionally, they may take on the shape of serpents during the dance. Individual dances also occur, and during these dances, participants will take turns in a large dancing ring. The participants, the gender and the number all depend on the type of dance and what message the dance is trying to convey. For example, the Tokoe dance is a dance restricted to girls who have just come of age and is a celebration of their age and womanhood.

Influence

African dance has a painful, yet joyous history. It came with the slaves to the United States and was a major form of entertainment for them. That history would be utilized and morphed into popular dances such as the Cakewalk and the Charleston. And the music that accompanied the dance was influential as well. According to the book "When the Spirit Moves," the musical contribution of African dance, which included several rhythms at once, led to the formation of jazz, rock music and ragtime music.

References

• Archives of Early Lindy Hop: African Influences on Swing Dance
• The Africa Guide: African People & Culture - Music, Musical Instruments & Dance
• Alokli: Traditional African Dances