Celebrating local dance, theatre and art in the Dallas Arts District. Griots: Celebrating a Compilation of Dallas’ Cultural Storytellers of the African Diaspora Presented by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble August 27, 2022
Griots: Celebrating a Compilation of Dallas’ Cultural Storytellers of the African Diaspora Director: Tony Browne Artistic Director: Mikoyienne Whitley Musicians Tony Browne (Musical Director/Djembe) Kweku Codrington (Shekere/Djembe) Edward Dogbe (Djembe) Ande Jones (Dundun) Ixchel Frierson (Sangba) Tim Patterson (Djembe) Ensemble Dancers Tonya Compton Ashli TerranceAdrianRodesiaIsisHendersonSimonScottTempletonThomas(Choreographer)MikoyienneWhitley(ArtisticDirector/Choreographer)
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
PRE-SHOW Please visit the gallery to learn more about Dallas’ Griots!
ACT I “SORSORNET”
“A TRIBUTE TO AFIAH BEY”
Baba Leo Hassan
Sorsornet comes from the Baga people of Guinea, West Africa.
Throughout this act, The Djeli, also known as the Griot, provides the connection from the past to the present. We recognize that our history and culture are a source of our strength. Tonight, the Djeli initiates the induction of Dallas’ greats.
It is a mask rhythm/dance done to honor the teachings of life and the mask, Sorsornet, is one of the masks which were seen as bringers of good luck.
THE GRIOT SPEAKS
Performed by Baba Leo Hassan
“WOMEN’S TRIBUTE”
Funga Alafia is a greeting song sung through parts of West Africa. Kuku is a rhythm from the Manian ethnic group of Guinea, West Africa and it is a celebration dance done for a successful harvest.
Paying Homage to Sister Akwete Tyehimba, Ms. Vicki Meek and Ms. Marilyn Clark Performed by Bandan Koro Musicians
We celebrate how Gibson has shared the culture and Diasporic traditions of Black New Orleans as pertains to the history of the city, while acquainting audiences with Second Line as a rooted spiritual impulse for INTERMISSIONmovement.ACTII
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
“NOLA TO DALLAS”
Yamama is from the Susu ethnic group. This rhythm honors the female spirit of Yamama. On this occasion they will ask her for whatever they need for the coming year.
“GUINEA FARE” Honoring Mikoyienne Whitley
Honoring Michelle Gibson
“MANDIANI”
Mandiani is a social dance of the Malinke people of Guinea and Mali, West Africa. It is a rite of passage rhythm that honors young women as they enter into womanhood. Once the girls come off the shoulders of their successors and touch the earth, they become “Mandiani”.
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
“RHYTHMIC CONVERSATIONS”
A compilation of a family of rhythms referred to as Guinea Fare meaning “women’s dance”. It claims the sassy, strong and brilliant nature of women. Today, it is played for weddings and other celebratory gatherings, and it can be danced by male and female dancers.
We honor our Elder, Nana Kweku, with sounds of the sweet shekere. The shekere is a West African percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd. The Shekere originated in a tribe in Nigeria called the Yoruba tribe.
Honoring Nana Kweku Codrington
“SWEET SHEKERE”
Honoring Baba Leo Hassan
“BALANTA”
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
African drums have been used for centuries for many important purposes including communication, bringing communities together, and even to bring about healing and specific energies. They accompany rites of pas sage ceremonies, weddings, funeral rites, and other communal celebra tions. Each drum has its own voice… and each rhythm is a conversation.
Honoring Tony Browne
The dance of the warrior. The Balantes were the only nation in the Senegambia region that remained free from European colonization through fierce resistance. They are renowned throughout the region for their powerful military and social institutions.
GENEROUS SUPPORT
“TONY’S INTERLUDE” Honoring His Griots of Dallas
Through rhythmic cadences of call and response, Bandan Koro’s Founder and Director honors those who have paved the way for him to carry Bandan Koro forward as a part of the arts scene in Dallas by contributing to his knowledge and influence.
In tradition, Lamba honors the Griot, or the Djeli, in the village. It is also played for many ceremonies such as births and marriages where the people dance Lamba in honor of God and ancestors. Today, Lamba is still played and danced for the very same reasons, using movements that exude praise, gratitude, and joy. FROM
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
“LIBATIONS” Honoring our Ancestors
Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble
Bandan Koro’s elder and advisor, Nana Kweku, connects the traditions of honoring our ancestors through a ceremonial presentation. “LAMBA” Honoring Dallas’ Griots and All Ancestors
