DANC 049M. Repertory/Ensemble: Dance and Drum in Africa

This ensemble course introduces and develops technical and historical understandings of African dance and drum styles in their social and cultural contexts. The Nii Akrong African Drum/Dance Technique is a set of drum phrase-combinations and gestures that reflect and represent various ethnic groups, Ga (Ghana), Mande (Guinea), and Yoruba (Nigeria). Students will learn to use their palms and fingers against the backdrop of specified postures that open an array of drumming techniques (tone, slap, base, muffle, mnemonic-combinations/interpretation), which are useful for understanding the unique time lines and upbeat of West African rhythms. These are the roadmaps to understanding the dance form. Discussions, guests, audio visuals, and texts that shed light on the pieces will be incorporated. Students will learn by careful observation and by doing - in a friendly teamwork environment. This accessible course is responsive to student needs and abilities and will inject a broad and in-depth knowledge necessary for the development of a holistic person.
0.5 credit or P.E.
Eligible for BLST.
Catalog chapter: Music and Dance: Dance
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/dance-program

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