Katherine Dunham: Afro - Moves


 I

Unit: Catherine Dunham

Theme: Afro-Moves

 

Introduction 

Katherine Mary Dunham was an American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and social activist. Dunham had one of the most successful dance careers of the 20th century and directed her own dance company for many years. She has been called the "matriarch and queen mother of black dance."

 

II

Warm Up 

Stretching  

Alignment

 

III

Learning Objectives

 

  • Understand the origin of Dunham's dance philosophy
  • Gain awareness of the importance of Dunham's technique
  • Experience the adaptation of Afro-Caribbean movement to Modern Dance
  • Reflect on the work done in class

 

 

IV

Main Lesson

 

1

Dunham' Technique

 
 
 Question 1
 
Explain in which way Dunhams's dance experience influenced showbis in America?
 
 
2
 

 

Question 2

Based on this conversation captured on video, what was Dunham's experience with audiences in America?


3

 


Question 3

Based on this clip, write your reflection on Dunham's technique.

4

Question 4

 Based on this clip, write your reflection on Dunham's technique.

 

V

A Note to Remember

Dunham's anthropological research, her work in dance, and her fascination for the people and cults of Haiti worked their spell, catapulting her into experiences that she was often lucky to survive.(1)

 

VI

Case Study

 

Katherine Dunham

 https://youtu.be/m-PeHULlucE?si=Q20dlTTi4fS-AGtm

 Question 5

What was Dunham's dance philosophy?

 

VII

Activity
 
Students learn the orisha-dances and then create groups to focus on just an orisha of their choice. 
 
 
MUSIC
 
Eleggua
8:30
 
Oggun
3:00
 
Oshun
3:30
 
Yemaya
6:00
 
Oya
3:00
 
Chango
6:00
 
Babalu-Aye
3:00
 
Obatala
6:45

Question 6
 
Which was your favorite orisha dance? Why?


VIII

Journaling

 

IX

Glossary

orisha: The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity.  

Ire: In the Yoruba religion, both Iré and Osogbo are temporary paths in stages of our life, astral states. The iré blesses us and the osogbo keeps us alert, warning us to be cautious and act shrewdly in the face of a certain negative situation.


X

Sources

1. Dunham, K. (2012). Island Possessed. Knopf Double Day Publishing Group. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Island_Possessed/fhA26gJtiFYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Catherine+Dunham&printsec=frontcover

2. Ala Aggayu, David (2017). Cantos y Traducciones de Oggunhttps://youtu.be/nXJisjHGuhs?si=ezgNd-R7ErecdamL

3. Capoeira Circle. Inscribed in 2014 (9.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/capoeira-circle-00892

4. Morejon, Jorge Luis (n.d.) The Fashion of Rituality.  https://www.academia.edu/31079474/The_Fashion_of_Ritualit



XI

Students' Work



 

 


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