written by Zeying Lang
Flashing back to the story happened in 1739, and following the fantastic dance crew to unveil the history behind contemporary African culture. To experience, to touch, their bravery, and the hereditary beats…
Body Percussion
It was fascinating how the dance crew used only the drums and their own bodies to create such harmonical and synchronic music like a mixed chorus. They almost didn’t use any pre-recorded music but created the accompaniment music for the whole show by using body percussion. The dancing crew has incredible cooperation to generate the beat loud and clear. It was really amazing and inspiring. They use tapping, stepping, raping, clapping, and even beatboxing and etc. I can feel their passion through their powerful movements. Their dancing was definitely infectious, and I believe that the audience would want to start grooving with them just like me! Since the name of the show is Step! Africa!, stepping is the most essential part of which they used to create their beats. They also did the clapping during the show and chorused with a cappella. The performers used their feet, hands, and mouths to create various types of sounds and beats.
Get Involved
The dance crew changed their formations at the same pace along with the beat, and to be honest, it was very satisfying to watch them do the stepping or clapping with such excellent order. There were two to three people who were responsible for beating the drums at the back corners of the stage. Their work was crucial for the dance crew, because they provide the beat, and the beat is the soul. When the singer's voice gets lower, the drummer starts to beat more softly; while the singer's voice gets roused, the drummer beats more intensively. Near the end of the show, a group of performers started passionate dancing as a beatboxer beatboxing for a 7 mins long climax. The performers interacted with the audience with singing more than once throughout the entire show, and that completely drove the audience.
Oh Freedom!
I remembered that at the beginning of the show, the atmosphere of the show was light and full of joy. However, after the performers' drums were taken away by persecutors, the music turned into oppressive and rapid. There was one scene that impressed me deeply: a man and a woman were trapped by four men wearing exaggerated masks, peaked hats, and full costumes that covered with tassels. After this scene, the performers gathered around and formed into groups, which, in my understanding, the rebellion starts. They used rods as their weapons, and to show the process of the resistance, they banged the grounds with the rods to make heavy but synchronous sounds. In my opinion, this means that they are firmly united to revolt the unequal treatments. They also used chorus with some repeated lines to express their feelings to the audience directly: ‘they cannot take the drums away’,’we want F-R-E-E free.‘ When the freedom finally arrives, the performers celebrate by dancing with the beatboxing beats, and the stage curtain also changed from dark color to bright orange, just like the sunrise.
My favorite part is the solo of a song without any accompaniment music. The lyrics really touched my heart: And before I'd be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave. And go home to my Lord, and be free'. I googled the song after the show, and its name is 'Oh Freedom', and the words of this song are as beautiful as poetry.
Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom Oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Oh, freedom Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom Oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free No more weepin', (don't you know), no more weepin' No more weepin' over me And before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Oh freedom Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom Oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free And before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
Want to know more about the Drumfolk? Click on the link to browse their amazing work! https://www.stepafrika.org/drumfolk/