NDERE - UGANDAN TRADITIONAL DANCE
Ndere is a traditional Ugandan dance performance that Ali and several of her good friends took me to see my second night in Uganda. I have never experienced a live performance that exuded so much energy and happiness. The ability of each dancer to move in such a seemingly natural way was hypnotizing. All around the world dancing has always been a way of story-telling, especially before written language. There simply are not words to describe all I felt while watching these beautiful performances. I can only hope that my photographs capture some of the talent and beauty these dancers possess.
The Ndere Dance Troupe works to "salvage and conserve African heritage. Ndere Troupe performs a repertoire of more than 40 authentic Ugandan dances and songs accompanied by various Indigenous percussive, stringed and wind instruments. The Troupe engages in various projects aimed at keeping African generations educated about traditional entertainment and also uses traditional entertainment to spread knowledge about current issues as modern farming techniques and HIV/AIDS" (Ndere Website).
The entire performance transcended the many languages and cultures of the audience and felt like a 3 hour celebration of being human. I have never found it more difficult to resist the urge to get up and dance (although it probably would have been just fine if I did get up and shake it a little bit). I understand why there is probably not one Ugandan who "does not dance", as people say in America. The experience tapped into my instinct to dance (the kind that makes you tap your foot without realizing it) not just my desire.
I was able to sit on the ground about 5 feet away from the dancers and photograph the entire time...an opportunity I am deeply grateful for. An Italian man who did the same turned to me during a performance and said, "Is it possible to fall in love with 40 people at once? I feel so happy." Si, Signore. Si, Si, Si...
Lastly, Ali's good friend and fellow volunteer, Jaime, who attended the dance with us has a terrific blog and wonderful videos. I encourage anyone who wants to further satisfy their curiosity to check it out here.
Ndere is a traditional Ugandan dance performance that Ali and several of her good friends took me to see my second night in Uganda. I have never experienced a live performance that exuded so much energy and happiness. The ability of each dancer to move in such a seemingly natural way was hypnotizing. All around the world dancing has always been a way of story-telling, especially before written language. There simply are not words to describe all I felt while watching these beautiful performances. I can only hope that my photographs capture some of the talent and beauty these dancers possess.
The Ndere Dance Troupe works to "salvage and conserve African heritage. Ndere Troupe performs a repertoire of more than 40 authentic Ugandan dances and songs accompanied by various Indigenous percussive, stringed and wind instruments. The Troupe engages in various projects aimed at keeping African generations educated about traditional entertainment and also uses traditional entertainment to spread knowledge about current issues as modern farming techniques and HIV/AIDS" (Ndere Website).
The entire performance transcended the many languages and cultures of the audience and felt like a 3 hour celebration of being human. I have never found it more difficult to resist the urge to get up and dance (although it probably would have been just fine if I did get up and shake it a little bit). I understand why there is probably not one Ugandan who "does not dance", as people say in America. The experience tapped into my instinct to dance (the kind that makes you tap your foot without realizing it) not just my desire.
I was able to sit on the ground about 5 feet away from the dancers and photograph the entire time...an opportunity I am deeply grateful for. An Italian man who did the same turned to me during a performance and said, "Is it possible to fall in love with 40 people at once? I feel so happy." Si, Signore. Si, Si, Si...
Lastly, Ali's good friend and fellow volunteer, Jaime, who attended the dance with us has a terrific blog and wonderful videos. I encourage anyone who wants to further satisfy their curiosity to check it out here.
