Dance group pounds out Ivory Coast beats
SELINA AGGUDEY
Penn Contributing Writer
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This week's Six O'Clock Series featured the Kotchegna Dance Company, formed in 1989 by Vado Diomande in his native country of Cote d'Ivoire, known today as the Ivory Coast.
The group is highly dynamic, racially diverse and consists of about 18 highly motivated people from the Caribbean, West Africa and New York City.
In 1994, a branch of Kotchenga, which means messenger in Vado Diomande's native tongue of Mahou, was created in the United States.
In 1999, the dance group started touring the nation, sharing the message of what traditional Cote d'Ivoire was all about.
The company has performed in concerts and festivals all over the world. It has also participated in educational programs, dance classes and workshops where they share their dances and culture with people of all ages and all walks of life.
"Our goal is to educate people about the different cultures and traditions in Cote d'Ivoire," said Lisa Diomande, wife of the Kotchenga Dance Company founder.
They also want to promote the exchange of culture and to make clear that Africa is a continent, not a big country. Most countries in West Africa share a very rich musical and folkloric culture, and the Kotchegna Dance Company's main goal is to share that with the rest of the world.
Kotchegna's primary focus is on the culture of Ivory Coast. Its choreography is based on up to 60 regional dance styles, and its music comes directly from the traditions and ethnic trends. For instance, the group uses Jembe, Dondo and Balefon drums.
The audience sat riveted for most of the performance, as the dancers performed a variety of dances. The drummers played energetically, and their brightly colored costumes of blue hats with orange plumes lit up the stage.
The stilt dancer stole the show with his breathtaking steps. Many audience members caught their breath with every twist and turn he made. Though it seemed impossible, he was able to stay on the stilts through all the wild moves.
Kenya, whose performance of the kuku dance left everyone clapping, was the only female dancer.
"It was a very interesting and soulful show," said Nicole Freeman (freshman, English). "I really liked Kenya's performance."
But the highlight of the performance was the New Year's dance, performed by one of the male dancers.
The Kotchenga Dance company ended its presentation by inviting a few people up to the stage to try to teach them a few steps.
One student particularly appreciated the percussion.
"I thought it was really good," said April Tomikel (senior, elementary education). "The drummers were great. I really enjoyed it."
Other students enjoyed viewing different traditions.
"It was a good show. I really liked learning about different cultures," said Monica James (freshman, sociology).
Members of the African American Dance Ensemble were also in attendance.
"Being that I am part of the African Dance Ensemble, I came to see what was new and I learned some interesting steps," said Ida Bormentar (junior, international business and human resources major). "The show was really well choreographed and I enjoyed it very much."