By MEGHAN FELCH, Staff Photographer.
The Kuungana group doesn’t just tell people about West African culture, they show it. The Delta commons were filled with pounding rhythms from authentic African drums as their dancers, dressed in traditional colorful attire, demonstrated movements passed down through generations.
Flint-based drum and dance group, Kuungana, performed at Delta Thursday, Feb. 5. The group came with 10 of its members, a third of the whole company. Kuungana seeks to spread knowledge of West African culture, and performed songs and dances that originated from Senegal, Ghana and the rest of the region.
In addition to performing pieces meant to “represent the goats that provide the skin for djembe drums,” the ensemble also requested audience participation. There was some reluctance at first, but gradually a few students came up to the stage.
“She made me do it,” said Ciera Robinson, after she and friend Jenna Dickerson were among the first to volunteer to dance with Kuungana.
“It was awesome, maybe even a little embarrassing, but still fun,” said Dickerson.
In the next round of dances Isaiah Marr also went up to the stage. “This is a dance for kings so, of course, I had to get up there,” he joked, “But more seriously I like to be open to any culture and that allowed me to be a part of theirs. Plus, now I’ve got some new dance moves to throw out at parties.”
In a break between songs, director Baba Collins shared some drum and dance history with the audience. “Drums were used to send messages. It was a form of communication. If you saw a lion or something running across the land, how were you going to tell somebody about it? There’s no cell phones. You start drumming as fast as you possibly can.”
He also explained that some of Kuungana’s movements had been passed down for thousands of years as a form of storytelling in West Africa. However, modern hip hop has borrowed some of these elements and American-ized them, like with the “stanky leg,” also known as the “crazy leg.”
After almost 50 years studying and practicing West African Drum and Dance, Collins still remains passionate about the art form.
“We dance and we play every single day. This is a way of life and an important part of our culture. We also practice the seven principles of Kwanza and focus on being a community-based people.”
The Kuungana community will at times contain three generations of members. Today was no exception with Jewellyne “Mama Jewel” Richardson, her daughter, and her new grandchild. Richardson, who has been with Kuungana for six years, stated that her favorite part about the group was their opportunity to educate others. “It’s education and entertainment: edutainment.”
JodiAnn Stevenson, a lover of West African music and a member of the Black History Month committee, brought her ENG 112 class down to watch Kuungana’s performance. Stevenson, along with fellow english professor Chey Davis, even danced alongside Kuungana as they invited all mwalimu (teachers) to join them for one of their final songs.
Collins then ended the performance on a motivational note. “If you want something, if you love something, work all you can, study hard all you can, because life is precious. Enjoy each and every moment of it by doing your best.”
Additional Black History Month events include:
- The “Mobile Black and White” discussion series, will take place Feb. 12, 19, 26 and March 12 and 18 at 2 p.m in S105. Patricia Harris will lead different discussions on racism following the viewing of the film “Mobile Black and White”.
- “Music of the Arts” Black History Program, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m in G160. Delta College’s Gospel Choir, Eminent Voices present music, singing, poetry and featured local artists.
- The “Black Men Matter” series, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m at the Ricker Center. Author, speaker and film producer Lorenzo Pierson will moderate panel discussions on race and perception of police misconduct.
- Black History “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” style game show, Feb. 24 at 12 p.m in the Student and Civic Engagement Office. Answer questions on African American culture and history to win cash and prizes. Hosted by John Neal.