Ethiopian dance
by Gloria Ssali
Title
Ethiopian dance
Artist
Gloria Ssali
Medium
Drawing - Drawing
Description
Ideology – the Ethiopian name “Eskesta” means actually “Dancing shoulders”; it is often practiced in the Northern parts of Ethiopia (Amhara group) where the indigenous tribes of Amhara, Wollo, Gondar etc. are still performing the dance of Eskesta. The motives and characteristics of the dance are often interchanged during the dance by the performers of the variety of war songs, hunting songs, Shepherd songs, love songs and work songs. The best dancer is appointed to the leader of the group and respectively the best singer
Theme, symbols & rituals – the theme of this type of the dance can be described as follows – expressing certain emotions and impressions from the life through – typical body movement dating back to an Ethiopian tribe (Amhara region), performing these mainly with their heads and shoulders. These significant movements are having a great impact on the Ethiopian indigenous society as a whole. Some of the ideas and themes in this dance are actually inspired from the relations between the genders, work life and religion.
It also is said that this dance was invented because of the snakes. Ethiopian people were often observing the “dance”/movements of the snake, shaking in the same way their neck. On the other hand, in the sphere of indigenous Ethiopian music the influence of the rattlesnake while shaking its tail (the sound it produces) has created a certain way of singing as well.
Furthermore, other symbols and rituals that can be described are these connected with the costumes which each dancer wears. They are often made of woven cotton called “gabbi” or “netella” and painted with different colors depending on the gender of the dancer.
Technique – dance performed both from men and women with their head, neck, chest and shoulders, shaking in specific ways; the music played during the dance is often produced with the traditional Ethiopian instruments like krar, flute, drums and mesenko. The dancers sometimes sing or in some places of the dance utilize the silence in order to stress out some prevailing moments of the dance. There are however some variations depending on the areas in which this dance is performed – Wollo, Gondar or Gojjam.
Uploaded
September 21st, 2011
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Comments (15)
Xueling Zou
Very interesting, it reminds me some Japanese art work, I am not sure why, but the feeling is so similar! Well done, Gloria! Many thanks for your nice feedback on my "Geometric Colours II", I do appreciate it!!
ANA MARIA EDULESCU
She's dancing as she wants to dash to the sky..... amazingly wonderful capture of motion...... fabulous work, Gloria....... fav, vote....... Ana