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The Music Center's Artsource® Curriculum Chuck Davis

Chuck Davis Artsource Unit

African Roots in American Soil

Performed by African American Dance Ensemble

Every year, Dr. Chuck Davis journeys to Africa to "sit at the feet of the elders." His research on the history, music and dance of specific cultural groups enables him to choreograph African American interpretations of authentic material from Africa. Videos includes "Lamban," a Griot or historian's dance from the Old Mali Empire, circa 13th century, and "Isicathulo," a gum boot dance of the Shona, Ndebele and Zulu people in Southern Africa. Lessons feature an African folktale that is told on the audio, as well as chants, proverbs, Kwanzaa, and ways to develop leadership through dance. This unit is grounded in the universal themes of Enduring Values and The Human Family.

View Flipbook

Watch

  • Part 1 of 'Lamban' Dance

  • Part 2 of 'Lamban' Dance

  • 'Isicathulo' Dance

  • 'Balante' Dance

Part 1 of 'Lamban' Dance

Part 2 of 'Lamban' Dance

'Isicathulo' Dance

'Balante' Dance

Listen

Listen to the Chuck Davis audio tracks. (Please note the first two videos consist of audio-only.)

"Batawasunga"

"Enkoito"

"Mkazi"

The Music Center · Chuck Davis: Mkazi

Credits

Dance video footage courtesy of Chuck Davis and African American Dance Ensemble. Storytelling video and audio recording of "Girl on the Rock" courtesy of Andrew Tracey and Paul Tracey. Audio of traditional music courtesy of the International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, South Africa.

 

All videos, audio tracks, and artwork on this page are for educational use only and is not to be reproduced.

Feedback

We’d like your feedback! Please email any comments, suggestions, questions, or concerns about these resources to education@musiccenter.org.

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