Kwanzaa: Traditional West African Dance, Music, and Song

Dance, music, and song are a large part of African cultures. They are related and always exist together as a trinity, all three together. Without one, the total expression is incomplete. The Ewe (eh-BVAY) dance Sowu (so-WOO) is a good example. The movement language, drumming, and song must be together and interact with each other, like members of a family.

The Ewe people live in Ghana, Togo, and Benin, West Africa. Locate these countries on the map of Africa to know from where the dance, Sowu, originates. Sowu is taught to young boys and girls. It is called the dance of life because the children learn how to grow up and be proper members of the Ewe community by doing the dance. The dance is about universal values, beliefs that are important and helpful to everyone. The movement symbolizes special meanings that are understood by those who know the dance.

One of the movement phrases explains that people must all work together as a group to do any task. For example, the five fingers of the hand cannot work alone. They need each other to pick up an object.

Another phrase says that there are seven days of the week so every step taken each day must be precise, exact. Do what you set out to do. Don't be led off your path.

Movement language in a third phrase says that if you have goodness in your heart, you can travel throughout your neighborhood and people will love and accept you. You can travel to other cities or countries and people will welcome you.

A very important message is found in the movement phrases. They show how to respect your mother and father and to honor those who have come before you, to thank others for what they have done to improve our lives and the lives of those who come after us.

The music also is symbolic. Even the instruments themselves represent important values and beliefs in Ewe society. The gankogui (gan-koh-GWEE), or master bell, keeps time for the rhythm through the dance. The picture shows that there is a large bell on the bottom and a smaller bell on top. The smaller bell is held close to the hand. When a pattern begins, the large bell is struck first followed by a repeated strikes against the smaller bell. The large bell represents a mother and the smaller one symbolizes a child tied to the mother's back. See how the picture of the mother and child is like the shape of the double bell. By starting a rhythmic pattern with the large bell, the musician sends a message. It says it is important to listen to your mother first.

The costume worn by the dancers demonstrates Ewe values as well. In the photo of the woman dancing, notice the strand of cowry shells worn over her left shoulder. It hangs down on the right side of her waist. Wearing these shells teaches people about their history when shells were used as a form of money. The shells also come from the ocean. Using them in the dance shows the importance of the ocean and water to their lives. Dancers perform barefoot to strengthen their connection to the Earth. The ankle bells worn on each foot accent the movement patterns. They show their great respect for the Earth.

The dance, music, and song work together to tell the dancers, musicians, singers, and those who are watching how to be truthful, respectful and loving. They must grow up to be cooperating and contributing members of the Ewe community.

Knowing about these traditional values helps us understand the Ewe. It shows us that learning about others can improve our own lives. Plus, the more we know about other people, the more we can appreciate all the beautiful and different ways of life. This makes the world a better place for everyone.

Check out these sites about Kwanzaa.

The official web site -
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

Recipes for Kwanzaa food - http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htm

Ideas for Kwanzaa activities -

http://kwanzaaland.com/children/

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/kwanzaa/index.htm