African dance

African dance encompasses diverse movement traditions developed across the continent and its diasporas. Practices vary by community and context, connecting movement with music, ceremony, storytelling, social life, and performance.

African music: Music created across Africa’s many regional, linguistic, and cultural traditions. Dance often develops in close exchange with the musical traditions of particular communities.
African traditional religion: The diverse religious traditions indigenous to African societies. In some communities, dance forms part of ritual practice and communication with spiritual beings.
West African dance: Dance traditions developed among the many communities of West Africa. This regional grouping includes widely influential forms, while remaining internally diverse.
Ballet: A formal theatrical dance tradition with codified techniques and an extensive classical repertory. Its stage conventions differ from traditions in which audience participation or social use is central.
Polyrhythm: The simultaneous use of contrasting rhythmic patterns in music. Interlocking rhythms shape dancers’ timing and create room for varied movement.
Griot: A West African hereditary storyteller, musician, and oral historian. Dance can accompany the music and public storytelling of griot traditions.
East African dance: Dance traditions developed among the many communities of East Africa. Distinct regional histories and musical cultures shape East African movement practices.
Contemporary dance: A broad family of concert dance practices that developed from modern dance and later experimentation. It is a distinct performance lineage, though choreographers may draw on African dance traditions.
Call and response: A musical or verbal exchange in which one voice prompts another to answer. This exchange can connect dancers, musicians, and spectators during a performance.
Wedding dance: A dance performed as part of a wedding celebration. Wedding performances show how community dance marks social transitions.

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