Introduction
In
the African tradition, drumming and dancing are inseparable
components of the same activity. The process of drumming is
also where dance occurs. The compound word "dance-drumming"
best describes the African concept.
Experiencing
African dance-drumming is like having a personal conversation
with a wise old man. Most values that the African cherish
are creatively embodied in their dance-drummings. These values
and practices were handed down from the African ancestors
and each generation takes them up with modifications suitable
to its own historical situation and needs.
Dance-drumming
in sub-sahara African tradition is not only a fulfilling creative
art, but also an ancient institution of learning and perhaps
the nerve system in the development of the sub-saharan human
infrastructure. Among its most important activities in implementing
the sub-saharan collective agenda, it serves as an essential
catalyst for articulating traditional praise-worthy attributes,
manifesting them into images of life, putting them on display,
and crowning them with glory for the elevation of participants
as well as spectators. Dance-drumming, in a sub-sahara African
tradition, is a drama of people performing well in life.
We
will explore some of these values and the social organizations
within which they flourish. These are essential dimensions
of the African civilization and reflect, ultimately, the nature
of the civilization - or, more accurately, how the African
people perceive it.
|