Shango
by Gloria Ssali
Title
Shango
Artist
Gloria Ssali
Medium
Drawing - Drawing
Description
In the Yor�eligion, S��also spelled, Sango or Shango, often known as Xang� Chang� Latin America and the Caribbean, and also known as Jakuta[1]) is perhaps one of the most popular Orisha; also known as the divinity of thunder and lightning, Sango is historically a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom prior to his post-humous deification. In the Lukum�Olokun mi = "my dear one") religion of the Caribbean, Shango is considered the center point of the religion as he represents the Oyo people of West Africa, the symbolic ancestors of the adherents of the faith. All the major initiation ceremonies (as performed in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela for the last few hundred years) are based on the traditional Shango ceremony of Ancient Oyo. This ceremony survived the Middle Passage and is considered to be the most complete to have arrived on Western shores. This variation of the Yoruba initiation ceremony became the basis of all Orisha initiations in the West
It is crucial at this point to focus on the dances of the Yorubas, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. The Yorubas inhabit the Western part of Nigeria. They are a highly religious people and, as would be expected, this is reflected in their arts and theatre and more prominently, the dances. There are as many variants of dances as there are "orishas" in Yoruba land.: "Ogun", "Sango", "Yemoja", "Osun:, "Esu", "Obatala" etc. are some of the over four hundred and one gods and goddesses in the Yoruba pantheon. These gods have specific rhythms and movements associated with them, according to Oritz, (Jahn:1961,64).
These pantomimic dances, their gestures, steps, costumes and symbols are as carefully planned as ballets. They were created by the Yoruba, an artistic people, said to be the best choreographers in Africa and possessing a highly dramatic mythology, as rich in narrative and as developed as the Greco -Roman. Although the Yorubas are versatile choreographers, most of the characteristics of their dances are also noticeable in most African dances, as dominant movement styles. These characteristics are: tilting of trunk, bent knees, flat foot, earthbound movements, twisting of the waist, isolation of body parts, syncopated movements, acrobatic steps, expressive movements, shaking of the body (buttocks in female), improvisational movements resulting in polyrhythmic movement style (Ugolo:1998).
The Sango dance. This dance is more or less a dance drama, but it offers opportunity for the dexterous to display of fierce drumming, and dances by Sango himself. It is the peak of beauty of the bata dance. Comprising of both male and female dancers, the acolytes chant the praise names of Sango to energise him to display his masculinity. Of this, the Sango dance still retains a geat deal of its purity, irrespective of the occasion of performance. This is in instances where the authentic bata drums are employed.
When talking about costumes and props, most costumes are adulterated and it is in only in the Sango dance that a form of purity still exists, because it is performed predominantly by the devotees. Even in its theatrical performance, the Sango dance still retains the original in terms of props and costumes as much as possible. Prominent among the props are "Ose Sango", a carved wooden wand from the "aayan" tree. A metal type of this ose is usually carried about by priests of Sango. Other props and costumes are the wooden mortar (Odo), "Laba" (a variegated coloured skirt), "yeri", an inner skirt and a beautiful women hairdo.
Uploaded
September 7th, 2011
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Comments (21)
Fania Simon
Wow, Gloria, you have beautifully explored the undying lines of "Shango" - well expressed!!
Christine Huwer
Dear Gloria, I am always fascinated not only about your wonderful drawings but also about your detailed descriptions! I like to read them:-))) From where do you have ALL this knowledge? Wow! This special one is again a stunning one! :-))) Greetings from Germany Christine
Xueling Zou
Fascinating!! Your drawing is getting more complex! How wonderful and talented you are!! I do appreciate your nice feedback on my "Orchid", thank you so much!!
Gloria Ssali
Christine thank you for your kind comments i really do not notice the time most days but Shango took me nine hours