ABOUT AFRICAN TRADITIONAL DANCE

African Traditional Dance and Classical Dances are both traditional dances in their own rights and the two styles appear to be independently popular and dominated by the different class of people respectively. This proves that there is enormous talent out there which has to be collectively fused and developed, regardless of its origin. African Traditional Dance refers mainly to the dance of Sub-Saharan Africa, and more appropriately African dances because of the many cultural differences in musical and movement styles. These dances must be viewed in close connection with Sub-Saharan African music traditions and Bantu cultivation of rhythm. African dance utilizes the concept of polyrhythm as well as total body articulation.

African dance has traditionally played an essential role in the culture of the tribes. Much more than entertainment, dances communicate emotions, celebrate rites of passage, and help strengthen the bonds between members of the tribe as a whole.

HISTORICAL AFRICAN DANCING

Most African villages had a "dance master" who taught the members of the tribe from a very young age how to perform the various dances. It was very important that these dances be performed exactly as taught, with no room for improvisation or ornamentation until complete mastery of the form was achieved. While almost all of the dances are polycentric in some way, different areas of Africa have very different dances. The Masai are known for leaping high in the air, for example, Setswana is known for stamping and doing some couple dance, while the Kalabari emphasize hip motions. In all cases, the movements are very precise, and the same dances you see today have most likely been danced the same way for centuries.

Although Western culture has spread throughout Africa, many of the traditional African dances have also spread throughout the world. Troupes like this help preserve and share the culture and traditions of African dance throughout the world, sharing the joy far beyond the native tribes and keeping the history alive.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC IN AFRICAN DANCE

In African dance, the drum is one way to set the mood and brings everyone together as a community. However, many other instruments are used as well, such as gourds strung with beads. Clapping, stamping feet, and most of all singing also create rhythmic music for African dance. As dancers move in an expression of their inner feelings, their movements are generally in rhythm to the music. It is the sound of the music and the rhythms that are played that provide the heartbeat of the dance. The music and dance are considered inseparable, two parts of the same activity.

AIMS

The aims of the Faculty is to create, standard, a sound and safe technique for African Traditional Dance while understanding the need to allow freedom of expression and musical interpretation. Of utmost importance is the development of a syllabus of African Traditional Dance capturing the key basics and technique of its movements and the improvements, however, remaining authentic with grooming and costuming.

EXAMINATIONS

One of the responsibilities of the Faculty is to develop choreology for the dance, put systems of standards in place. However, the systems will follow the same structure as all the examinations within the Foundation’s Faculties. Every age and standard is catered for, from the tender age of 6 through the elementary level, the star grades and into championships.

Professional examinations may be commenced at Student Teacher through to Fellowship. At all levels teachers are required to have a good knowledge of anatomy and mechanisms of the body with an understanding of dance preparations and techniques.

FOCUS AREAS

Without limiting the activities of this faculty, the Traditional Faculty will deliver on the following: -

Create Data for the benefit of all members

Development

Competitions/Concerts and Festivals

Assessments and Examinations

The Faculty will in its inauguration participate at the South African Open Dance Championships which will be held on the 12-15 December 2014 in Alberton Civic Centre. This will determine its first champions. The Faculty will thereafter execute its plans of developing and promoting the Traditional Dance, including all exciting and prestigious events of the SADF.