How to master traditional dance styles
What's the story
From its rhythmic movements to expressive gestures, African dance is an integral part of the continent's cultural heritage. Deeply rooted in music, mastering African dance is a challenge even for the best dancers in the world. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, this article offers practical tips to help you learn and perform African dance like a local.
Beat basics
Understand the rhythm
Rhythm is everything in African dance. The music is usually filled with complex polyrhythms, where dancers are required to move different body parts independently. Start by listening closely to traditional African music, paying attention to the main beat and secondary rhythms. Get comfortable clapping/tapping along with these rhythms until you feel confident to move your body in sync with them.
Community connection
Learn from locals
One of the best ways to master African dance is by learning from locals who grew up with these traditions. Attend community events or workshops where experienced dancers teach traditional moves and techniques. Observing their movements closely will give you valuable insights into posture, footwork, and expression that are difficult to capture through videos or books alone.
Movement mastery
Focus on body isolation
Body isolation is an integral part of many African dances where different parts of the body move independently but in a harmonious manner. Practice isolating your shoulders, hips, arms, and legs through some specific exercises for each area. This skill will make your execution of intricate movements a lot better while keeping fluidity all throughout the performance.
Tradition appreciation
Embrace cultural context
Understanding the cultural context behind each dance style enriches your performance so much. Researching the history behind specific dances helps you appreciate their significance within various communities across Africa—whether they celebrate harvests or mark rites of passage—and allows you to convey authenticity when performing them yourself.
Regular rehearsal
Practice consistently
Mastering any skill, including African dance, requires persistent practice. Set aside certain times each week for rehearsal, concentrating on perfecting the techniques you've learnt in classes or workshops. This way, you'll ensure that you're gradually improving overtime, progressing steadily without getting overwhelmed by the process of learning all at once.