The Origins of Afro-Caribbean Dance
All forms of Afro-Caribbean dance have their roots in Africa. In the 15th to 18th century when the slaves were being brought over to America from Africa, they were mostly gathered from the western coast of North Senegal and South Angola. The reasons for most of them coming from this region is because the European traders thought it easier and less expensive to transport slaves from the west coast of Africa. It was impractical to take slaves from the east side of the continent because of the high mortality rates.The Goree Island, which is right off the shore of Senegal, was a holding place for the slaves, before they made their long journey to their final destinations. It was here that many of the diverse cultures seemed to have merged and later formed what would become different aspects of Afro-Caribbean dance. For example, the Woulousodong is a dance of the Wolorf people in Senegal. One of this dance's different interpretations, when learned in America, is that the movements represented those of the slaves while they walked up the gang plank. The African explanation tells us the movements signify adolescents breaking away from their parents' household and taking on new responsibilities
As these slaves began to settle in different countries, the emergence of a more cultural specific dance for started to form. Yet these new forms of dance still had strong African roots. For example, many of the slaves brought to Brazil, Haiti and Cuba were Yoruba-speaking people from southwest Nigeria. They worshipped more than 400 gods, which are still worshipped today. No doubt, they brought their religious practices with them. The main religion of the Spanish, who occupied Brazil and Cuba, and the French, who occupied Haiti, was Catholicism, which was taught to the Africans. This fusion of religions resulted in Voodooism in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba and Condomble in Brazil. Haitian and Cuban dances show African origin not only in their religious foundations, but also in their rhythmic movements and patterns. The three major influences of dance in these regions are Yoruba, Congo, and Rumba. The dances and traditions of Haiti were predominantly from the Congo, and the Dahomey region, but they evolved through time, and mixed with elements of the Haitian indigenous Indian, (the Arawak), and the French, who occupied the region, yet the songs and dances remained. French dances that originated in the courts and the upper classes, such as the Quadrille, color the style of Haitian social dance, while incorporating the vivacious torso, pelvis, and
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 910
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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