After breakfast, we (B, Becky, all four kids, Brian, Joyce's son, and I) traveled to Kwamo-- distant area of Kumasi-- to visit the home of Bishop Timothy and a school. Bishop Timothy wasn't home, but his daughter Vida was there and several other family members. Vida prepared a marvelous lunch for us, and we enjoyed exploring their property while the kids played with the dogs and puppies for a while. We went to the school after lunch, and that's when the real party began!
The Kumasi school is built in an L shape and divided up into enough classrooms so that each "grade" (known as "class" here) has their own room. Each room has a door that feeds directly into the open space outside the school, as well as a large window (without any sort of covering). Roughly half of the classroom walls are completed, while several dividing walls don't quite reach the ceiling, leaving a large gap so that classrooms can see one another. The school is covered by a tin roof, and each classroom is complete with wooden desks, blackboards, and hooks to hang backpacks on. The spirit of the school is filled with the smiles and hearts of the children and their teachers.
When we first approached the school, children came running saying "Obroni!" which means "white person" (this is a very common thing to hear from children as we travel around), and they excitedly reached to shake our hands and ask our names. Words can't describe how truly beautiful their smiles are! We were soon led to visit each of the classrooms so that we could greet everyone and learn a little more about how their school is set up. Later, it was dancing time!
The school gathered several of their younger students (probably around classes/grades 2 and 4) who performed a few dances for us, and they invited us to join in on the last couple dances. It was so fun! We of course didn't know the dances beforehand, so we carefully watched these young girls and tried to mimic their precise movements. Their sense of rhythm and phrasing of dance steps was so spot on!! I noticed as the rest of the students on the sidelines danced to the rhythm in their personal space as they enjoyed the performance. It was as if the energy of dance and music was being transferred through the air and ground to everyone in the area so that they couldn't stand still. Young and old, boys and girls-- everyone wanted to dance!
After the group of girls performed, things quickly evolved and I found myself dancing with the older boys (several of who just completed class 12, so they have graduated!), and that evolved into a mini dance battle! We had fun showing off some of our best moves and praising each other for the things we brought to the dance floor. The rest of the school surrounded us as they clapped and cheered along with the fun.
Soon after, we were then treated to another performance from the young girls, but this time they danced to the traditional drums of Ghana! Young men carried out 4-5 different styles of drums, as well as a metal bell/chime of some sort (I need to learn what it is called.) The dance they performed was the Adowa, which I was thrilled to recognize! Before coming to Africa, my Ghanaian friend Nana taught me a few dances from Ghana which I then shared at the Africa Dance Nights I taught. It was so satisfying to watch this intricate dance performed to the traditional music. Again, they invited us to join in on the dance :)
To wrap up our time at the school, we enjoyed more of the traditional music, and one of the young men even invited me to trade in so I could play one of the drums! I studied the rhythm for a moment before he offered me the sticks, and then I was in! I was surrounded by many complicated rhythms accompanied by the singing and clapping of students and teachers. It was a rich experience, and I couldn't wipe the goofy smile from my face as I tried to blend into the layered sounds.
It's in their bones. Dance. Music. Rhythm. Art. Expression. It's there, and it is strong! As I danced and drummed with the students, I felt a connection with everyone. What I spend my career trying to bring to the students in Utah is naturally born and bred here. It's as if the Ghanaian people (and people of all Africa) have an element in their bones and blood that has been with them through all time, and that they have never lost it... While in the meantime, many people in the States have been drained of this element... They can't feel it. And if they do feel it, they don't trust it. It makes my heart sorrowful for those back home who say they "can't" and "won't" when it comes to dance and music. Yet it makes my heart soar and every cell of my body come alive as I join in the rich heritage of dance and music with my African brothers and sisters. I am so grateful they have kept this element in their bones! I'm so thrilled that they share it with others! I hope to share a portion of this energy with my students and friends when I return home. The spirit which accompanies people who dance and create music is a type of medicine for the soul that many back home are sick for. I pray that my efforts as a dance specialist back home can help bring this element back to the bones of those who have lost it, even those who may have lost it many generations ago.
I haven't even been here a week, but my soul is energized with life, love and laughter. I feel a harmonious connection with my African brothers and sisters as we share with one another. To any Ghanaian who may be reading this: Thank you! Thank you for such a warm welcome to your country and culture. Thank you for teaching me and sharing with me. I am so happy to be here with you!
The Kumasi school is built in an L shape and divided up into enough classrooms so that each "grade" (known as "class" here) has their own room. Each room has a door that feeds directly into the open space outside the school, as well as a large window (without any sort of covering). Roughly half of the classroom walls are completed, while several dividing walls don't quite reach the ceiling, leaving a large gap so that classrooms can see one another. The school is covered by a tin roof, and each classroom is complete with wooden desks, blackboards, and hooks to hang backpacks on. The spirit of the school is filled with the smiles and hearts of the children and their teachers.
When we first approached the school, children came running saying "Obroni!" which means "white person" (this is a very common thing to hear from children as we travel around), and they excitedly reached to shake our hands and ask our names. Words can't describe how truly beautiful their smiles are! We were soon led to visit each of the classrooms so that we could greet everyone and learn a little more about how their school is set up. Later, it was dancing time!
The school gathered several of their younger students (probably around classes/grades 2 and 4) who performed a few dances for us, and they invited us to join in on the last couple dances. It was so fun! We of course didn't know the dances beforehand, so we carefully watched these young girls and tried to mimic their precise movements. Their sense of rhythm and phrasing of dance steps was so spot on!! I noticed as the rest of the students on the sidelines danced to the rhythm in their personal space as they enjoyed the performance. It was as if the energy of dance and music was being transferred through the air and ground to everyone in the area so that they couldn't stand still. Young and old, boys and girls-- everyone wanted to dance!
After the group of girls performed, things quickly evolved and I found myself dancing with the older boys (several of who just completed class 12, so they have graduated!), and that evolved into a mini dance battle! We had fun showing off some of our best moves and praising each other for the things we brought to the dance floor. The rest of the school surrounded us as they clapped and cheered along with the fun.
Soon after, we were then treated to another performance from the young girls, but this time they danced to the traditional drums of Ghana! Young men carried out 4-5 different styles of drums, as well as a metal bell/chime of some sort (I need to learn what it is called.) The dance they performed was the Adowa, which I was thrilled to recognize! Before coming to Africa, my Ghanaian friend Nana taught me a few dances from Ghana which I then shared at the Africa Dance Nights I taught. It was so satisfying to watch this intricate dance performed to the traditional music. Again, they invited us to join in on the dance :)
To wrap up our time at the school, we enjoyed more of the traditional music, and one of the young men even invited me to trade in so I could play one of the drums! I studied the rhythm for a moment before he offered me the sticks, and then I was in! I was surrounded by many complicated rhythms accompanied by the singing and clapping of students and teachers. It was a rich experience, and I couldn't wipe the goofy smile from my face as I tried to blend into the layered sounds.
It's in their bones. Dance. Music. Rhythm. Art. Expression. It's there, and it is strong! As I danced and drummed with the students, I felt a connection with everyone. What I spend my career trying to bring to the students in Utah is naturally born and bred here. It's as if the Ghanaian people (and people of all Africa) have an element in their bones and blood that has been with them through all time, and that they have never lost it... While in the meantime, many people in the States have been drained of this element... They can't feel it. And if they do feel it, they don't trust it. It makes my heart sorrowful for those back home who say they "can't" and "won't" when it comes to dance and music. Yet it makes my heart soar and every cell of my body come alive as I join in the rich heritage of dance and music with my African brothers and sisters. I am so grateful they have kept this element in their bones! I'm so thrilled that they share it with others! I hope to share a portion of this energy with my students and friends when I return home. The spirit which accompanies people who dance and create music is a type of medicine for the soul that many back home are sick for. I pray that my efforts as a dance specialist back home can help bring this element back to the bones of those who have lost it, even those who may have lost it many generations ago.
I haven't even been here a week, but my soul is energized with life, love and laughter. I feel a harmonious connection with my African brothers and sisters as we share with one another. To any Ghanaian who may be reading this: Thank you! Thank you for such a warm welcome to your country and culture. Thank you for teaching me and sharing with me. I am so happy to be here with you!
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