- Title: SUDAN: Sudanese dance to the rhythm of nature.
- Date: 18th May 2011
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IBTISAM KUKU, YOUNG KINANA TRIBESWOMAN, SAYING: "The first thing the women do here before dancing and singing, is go to the tailor's to make dresses that suit them. After that, they comb their hair in a special way, spray it with perfumes and decorate it. After that, they come to the dance area."
- Embargoed: 2nd June 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Sudan, Sudan
- Country: Sudan
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVADVKM0JFCGJ9NGBMSZN4DSOOD0
- Story Text: Communities in South Kordofan practice traditional dancing, inspired by the environment to keep their culture alive.
In a sand pit surrounded by huts in south Kordofan's dusty village of al-Galyat, a lively traditional dance is performed during which residents pay homage to their environment.
Adorned with feathers, colourful clothing and traditional jewellery, these Messiriya, Hawazma and Kinana tribespeople stomp their feet to imitate hens, sway like horses and move like cattle.
"These are popular and cultural dances and heritage dances. They are performed by the Messiriya, Hawazma and Kinana. This one is they Kinana party," said al-Shareef Adam, a prominent Kinana tribesman.
One of the dances is called the al-Mardoum dance. It has several sections where dancers imitate animals from the surrounding areas.
The Hakama is the main singer who leads the dance, which is also a form of praise to the tribesmen's bravery in protecting the tribe.
"The al-Mardoum rhythm in general is inspired from the environment. It is taken from the movements of horses, and is also connected to the movement of cattle. We find part of the al-Mardoum rhythm taken from the movements of cattle, horses and hens," said Dafallah al-Haj, a researcher of Sudanese folklore.
One of the segments of the al-Mardoum dance is called "al-Niqara," or "the Pecking", during which dancers beat the ground vigourously with their feet.
"Al-Niqara dance is based on a rhythm without any singing. When dancing, the dancers imitate the movements the hens make when taking the seeds from the ground," said al-Haj.
These kinds of songs and rhythms are usually performed on national and social occasions.
Women dress is colourful dresses and usually adorn their perfumed hair with an ostrich feather.
"The first thing the women do here before dancing and singing, is go to the tailor's to make dresses that suit them. After that, they comb their hair in a special way, spray it with perfumes and decorate it. After that, they come to the dance area," said Ibtisam Kuku, a young Kinana tribeswoman.
This region witnessed some of the heaviest north-south fighting during the Sudanese civil war, Africa's longest-running civil war.
( Please note South Kordofan is not part of the south of Sudan which is due to secede from the north in July== ) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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