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Learning About Costumes for African Dance

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From Quick Guide: Dance Costumes 101

Summary: African dancing involves beautiful and colorful costumes that describe an emotion during the dance. Learn about this tradition from our expert dance instructor.

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By Nkachika, eHow Presenter

Nkachika has been dancing for approximately 16 years. She may be reached at (954) 929-2369. She has studied mainly Sub Saharan West African dance coming from the regions of Guinea,...read more

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Video Transcript

"In this clip, I'm going to talk a bit about what I'm wearing. Some of the costumes, this is some of the traditional wear that you will see African dancers and drummers wear. The beads that are adorning my bra right here are actually cowrie shells and they are very popular in different parts of West Africa, Many years ago, they used to be used as currency, or money. Not used as money today but used as beautiful jewelry and things to go on costumes. Also, this is from Senegal, and this is raffia, it is a colored raffia, a different kind of raffia. Most raffia you're going to see is going to be brown and it's traditionally used as grass skirts. So it's not in the same fashion of Hawaiian grass skirts, but they call it raffia, but it is very similar. Again, what we also will wear are beads and bells on our feet so as we dance it makes noise, King-king-king-king-king-king-king, king-king-king-king-king, king-king-king."

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