Cac 330 Afro-Caribbean
DANC 330: Afro-Caribbean
Video Viewing Response
Katherine Hagedorn defines the main goal of the ritual ceremonies that incorporate rhythms of the bata drum, songs, and dances is to "summon the santos to the earth, so that the deities may soothe those who are grieving, heal those who are sick, rebuke those who have acted unwisely, bless those who appear to be deserving, and set the tone for the next fee weeks or months in the community"(76). In this description is where I found the greatest difference between the formal performances and the ritual dances. The formal performances were usually danced on a stage with costumes that are more elaborate then those worn by worshipers at a ceremony. The dances are choreographed enabling the movements …show more content…
This is where "la religion" and "el folklore" boundaries overlap and at times become blurred. Even though the movements in the traditional dances might not be as grand or as perfect, the both folkloric and religious dances are using the body to communicate to the orishas and the body is sacred (Hagedorn 77). In the videos you see similarities in the movements for each of the orishas in both types of dances; as well as in the gestures, rhythms, chants and colors. One example can be seen in the dance for Ogun. The professional dancer executed the steps that are representative of Ogun; the dancer was acting as Ogun. In the video of the traditional dance, the man dancing was worshiping this orisha then looks to be taken over by Ogun, aided by the bata drum and the religious ceremony, and now he dances as Ogun. The professional dancer was also dressed in a great costume that represented Ogun, while the man wore his regular clothes (jeans and a white tank top). There is an emotional element to the ritual gatherings and ceremonies that can not be replicated in the formal dances.The dance companies are solely showing the visual aspect of La Regla de Ocha and the rituals are encompassing the entire
Video Viewing Response
Katherine Hagedorn defines the main goal of the ritual ceremonies that incorporate rhythms of the bata drum, songs, and dances is to "summon the santos to the earth, so that the deities may soothe those who are grieving, heal those who are sick, rebuke those who have acted unwisely, bless those who appear to be deserving, and set the tone for the next fee weeks or months in the community"(76). In this description is where I found the greatest difference between the formal performances and the ritual dances. The formal performances were usually danced on a stage with costumes that are more elaborate then those worn by worshipers at a ceremony. The dances are choreographed enabling the movements …show more content…
This is where "la religion" and "el folklore" boundaries overlap and at times become blurred. Even though the movements in the traditional dances might not be as grand or as perfect, the both folkloric and religious dances are using the body to communicate to the orishas and the body is sacred (Hagedorn 77). In the videos you see similarities in the movements for each of the orishas in both types of dances; as well as in the gestures, rhythms, chants and colors. One example can be seen in the dance for Ogun. The professional dancer executed the steps that are representative of Ogun; the dancer was acting as Ogun. In the video of the traditional dance, the man dancing was worshiping this orisha then looks to be taken over by Ogun, aided by the bata drum and the religious ceremony, and now he dances as Ogun. The professional dancer was also dressed in a great costume that represented Ogun, while the man wore his regular clothes (jeans and a white tank top). There is an emotional element to the ritual gatherings and ceremonies that can not be replicated in the formal dances.The dance companies are solely showing the visual aspect of La Regla de Ocha and the rituals are encompassing the entire