Course Objective: African Dance I introduces students to movement concepts and
vocabulary from African Diaspora Dance and Drum Traditions. Students will gain a
beginning understanding of how to embody African dance and aesthetic principles implicit
in African Derived movement and music. In a contemporary context, we will practice African dance traditions found on the continent and in the diaspora. We will focus on two dance traditions. Lamban, a dance and rhythm of the Jaili (Griot) from the Mende people of Mali; Kpanlogo, a contemporary recreational/social dance and rhythm rooted in the traditional rhythms of the Ga People of Ghana during African Independence. In keeping with the cultural traditions, students will dance, sing and drum.
Course Goals
▪ To honor the body as a profound way of knowing and learning.
▪ To embrace ideas of presence and expressiveness inside of one’s dancing, singing and playing.
▪ To increase the student’s general knowledge, skills and execution of the Lamban and Kpanlogo techniques
with particular emphasis on body alignment, rhythmic accuracy, energy, flow, coordination, flexibility, and
strength
▪ To gain an understanding and execution of groundedness and other aesthetic core qualities in African dance
forms.
▪ To introduce the students to traditions specific to Mende and Ga dance and drum techniques
vocabulary from African Diaspora Dance and Drum Traditions. Students will gain a
beginning understanding of how to embody African dance and aesthetic principles implicit
in African Derived movement and music. In a contemporary context, we will practice African dance traditions found on the continent and in the diaspora. We will focus on two dance traditions. Lamban, a dance and rhythm of the Jaili (Griot) from the Mende people of Mali; Kpanlogo, a contemporary recreational/social dance and rhythm rooted in the traditional rhythms of the Ga People of Ghana during African Independence. In keeping with the cultural traditions, students will dance, sing and drum.
Course Goals
▪ To honor the body as a profound way of knowing and learning.
▪ To embrace ideas of presence and expressiveness inside of one’s dancing, singing and playing.
▪ To increase the student’s general knowledge, skills and execution of the Lamban and Kpanlogo techniques
with particular emphasis on body alignment, rhythmic accuracy, energy, flow, coordination, flexibility, and
strength
▪ To gain an understanding and execution of groundedness and other aesthetic core qualities in African dance
forms.
▪ To introduce the students to traditions specific to Mende and Ga dance and drum techniques
- Teacher: Jeannine Osayande