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

Self-Portrait Programme for Migrants

By Hakeem Babalola

The Hungarian Association for Migrants (MENEDÉK) is currently organising a self-portrait project at SRLY Restaurant on Király street 50. The event is expected to take place every Sunday from 10-4 pm and will last for five weeks click to read the story

Re: My Darling British Airways

By GEORGE IHEANACHO

Right to Reply

I read your piece with the above heading published in Daily Champion of Tuesday 13,2008. Frankly speaking, I do not subscribe to your line of argument.

I have read several of your articles and always appreciate your sense of duty and critical solutions you offer in issues of national interest.

However,the paramount concern that the current issue involves the life of a fellow Nigerian being deported.The Nigerian (the deportee) deserves a little respect despite any circumstance.

The story was that British Airways officials called in the London Metropolitan Police to contain Nigerian passengers who were visibly unhappy with the inhumane way a Nigerian was handcuffed and pushed around.And these Nigerians were prevented from flying their scheduled flight and one of them barred from travelling with the British Airways in future.

Sir,I agree with you that our government in their myopic and vision less leadership has contributed to this shameless ill treatment meted to Nigerians but the person in question is not a government official but a fellow(ordinary) Nigerians.

There is one adage in Igboland there one who has been rejected can not reject himself.We suffer all these humiliation,injustice and ill treatments in the hands of foreigners because our government has failed to put things right.

If the government has failed to so,then what of us. We can change our destiny,can't we?.If we can boycott the British Airways for a while and was able to make a statement then they will sit up too and know how to treat Nigerians.

Inasmuch as you are entitle to your opinion and can decide to boycott or not,this can of view will deter other Nigerians to remain lukewarm when they should react.

Please I hold you in esteem but really do not subscribe to your current opinion.

Hungarian Minister Inaugurates African Hungarian Platform

By Archie Bonka

The Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister, Gönc Kinga, on Thursday April 10 officially opened another forum in which Hungarians and Africans could share mutual ideas in the hope to improve the lot of their "people"click to read the story

Na Lie, He No Dey Kampe

Though his false pride has blinded him to reality, his ruggedness will help him to understand that, for him to “dey kampe” there must be chaos or near anarchy in the society he lives. This man arrives at this precarious truce because he often reminds himself that his people are largely responsible for his ruined state of mind. He loathes them for this and he'll revenge. But he must fake happiness for it enervates his "foes". Nigerians must protect themselves click to read the story