Dance

There are as many dancing styles in Africa as there are different ethnic groups, and maybe even more. Some dancers jump up high or throw out their legs high in a swift rhythm. Among the Dan or Guro in Côte d'Ivoire, women dancers stand almost still bending their bodies, and only the lower parts of their bodies vibrate enrapturing the spectators. They make fun of their neighbors the Gere and say that their dances are so weird that a dancer may even sweat.

Dancing is a favorite amusement for villagers, and they take it very seriously. A village may have several associations of young people whose purpose is preparation and organization of celebrations, during which they dance in public. Some of these societies are secret, to join them one has to pass special ceremonies, and their activity is not limited to rehearsing dances.

Most African dances are collective. The dancers stand one after another, or in a rank, move in spirals, come together or apart. However, solo performances can be embodied in such dances, when a dancer comes to the center of the circle and performs several moves, cheered by the others.

There are also dances of masks. The most important masks that only appear on serious occasions move slowly, in an unhurried dance under the music that inspires awe among women, children and other non-members. There are also fun masks that can be seen by everybody. Their dances are fast. Besides, there are “long masks” that dance on high stilts, which requires a lot of skill.

Scene of dance at village festivity on the occasion of the zee belt.  Cote d'Ivoire. The Kla-Dan. V. F. Vydrin. 2002.