Today, African dance in the United States has become a combination of steps taken from different countries and regions of Africa. Although some of the traditions may have been passed down through the generations, we often rely on the African people who come to America and teach their traditions to others. New York is a common place for Africans to enter America, making it a very opportune place to learn the dances of many different regions of Africa without having to travel abroad. James Yarborough, who studies and teaches African dance, says that the great aspect of Americanized African dance is that the dances can be choreographed. “Africans will often perform the same step all day.” In choreographing the “Man’s Dance of Strength,” James has incorporated both martial arts and gymnastics, which allows the strength of masculinity to be extremely prominent.

“The Man’s Dance of Strength,” which Nommo will be performing at the 8th Annual African Family Festival on June 28th, will give Harrisburg a reason to slash the old stereotype that “real men don’t dance” (at least, as a performing art). James Yarborough formed his male dance company for that very reason. “I started to realize, throughout my dance training, that the instructors seemed to always be women.” James felt slighted by that fact and decided to create an African dance ensemble where men of all ages could perform without feeling threatened by the general consensus that male dancers are all homosexuals. Nommo Dance Theatre is made up of dancers and drummers from the New York area. Some, like James, have been training for African dance, while others, like drummer, Iyedun Ince, were born into a family of performers and have been destined to carry on the tradition. James and the ensemble’s drummers came to Harrisburg in April to teach a master class, sponsored by Ngozi, Inc. When James travels to teach African dance, his instruction is based on the requests of the hosting organization. However, being a male instructor, he adheres closely to African tradition, and will not teach dances that are traditionally done by only women. Similarly, James declines to perform spiritual dances that are traditionally performed for specific purposes, for which there is no current or true need, such as calling on the spirits to bring a good harvest when there is no harvest. Calling on the spirits through drumming and dance are not to be misused. According to James, when native Africans teach the drum rhythms and dance, they often modify them slightly, so that they will not call upon the spirits without reason. However, many of the rhythms and dances are simply for the purpose of celebration and have no special considerations for teaching. Also, with the passage of time, traditions change and so do the drum rhythms and dance.

By combining what has been passed on in America, with what Africans can teach us today, African-Americans are reclaiming their culture and heritage. The theme of the African Family Festival is “United we stand reclaiming our heritage.” In addition to Nommo Dance Theatre’s performance, the festival will include martial arts demonstrations, more African drumming and dance, an art exhibit, a morning worship service, keynote speaker, John Watusi Branch, the traditional African marketplace vendors, and other information booths and exhibits. The African Family Festival is an all-day event where people from all walks of life can learn and enjoy the African culture. Festival performers bring culture from all over Africa and those who attend are encouraged to dance and celebrate right along with them. The spirit fills the festival grounds, so, go ahead….DANCE…..CELEBRATE……Let the spirit move you!