The Meaning of African Dance

By Dan Gorlin
Arts & Culture

Dance in Africa is not a separate art, but a part of the whole complex of living. For an African, the magic of all life is experience.

African dance is basic, vital and complete. It varies from the slowest and stateliest of court dances to those which move so rapidly that ones eye cannot register what is happening.

In all, it is the concept of beauty and beauty is primarily in the rhythmic action, composure, smile, body decoration, prose and so on.

Traditional dance in Africa is the integrated art of movement controlled by her music which is governed by her languages. Its relationship to music is what distinguishes it from any other art.

African dance is also a source of communication through which it is possible to demonstrate emotions, sentiments, beliefs and other reactions through movements.

African dance can be traced to many modern movements for example, martial arts self-defence movement are common movements found in Nigeria among the KOROKORO dances.

Also the samba was originally a generic term designated the choreography of certain round dances imported from Angola and the Congo and it’s the most favourite dance in Brazil.

In African funerals, the music and dance tell a sort of story of the deceased; his or her occupation, successes, or social position in life. The cause of death is reflected in the music and dance.

The funeral dances express the importance of the community in traditional African life, in which people are bound by a shared respect for their heritage and a pride in the accomplishments of their fellow members.

Dan Gorlin of Alokli West African Dance wrote in from San-Francisco, USA