Sankofa African Dance Company performs at Delaware Tech
The Sankofa African Dance Company dazzled and entertained a crowd on Feb. 9 at Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus, as a part of the college-wide Global Understanding Series.
Global Understanding is a series of cultural enhancement events featuring programs and workshops free to the community, Delaware Tech students and staff.
Based out of Dover, the Sankofa African Dance Company and the Inner City Cultural League of Arts was founded by former City Councilman Reuben Salter in 1971. Since the founding, the organization has grown to be a pivotal piece in the community.
The company offers memberships to young men and women for a variety of things ranging from dance and art classes to health and drug awareness classes.
According to its website, www.ICCLARTS.org’s every program offered is meant to enhance the understanding of the arts and culture among Dover's inner city youth.
Michael Brown, artistic director, introduced the company with a brief history lesson of the organization and mentioning the company performs almost every week, and practices four times a week.
Accompanying the dancers were a group of drummers consisting of young men playing Djembes and other drum-like instruments.
Brown said the instruments are made from sheepskin and wood and if purchased in West Africa would cost about $20. However, if purchased in America it will cost about $300.
The Sankofa dancers consist of a group of young women dressed in bright and traditional West African attire. They perform an array of different dances showcasing the group’s skills and the West African form of ballet.
During the show, members of the crowd were invited to come on stage and were taught a dance. Participants found humor at the beginning of the lesson, but by the end, participants were hitting every move right on beat like the pros.
Shannon Hopkins attended the performance and took part in the dance lesson.
"Once you get up there and start trying to do the dances with them you automatically just get a good feeling,” Hopkins said. “I just feel really good after doing this and I'm really glad I took part in it."
The goal of the Sankofa African Dance Company is to enable youth and their families to realize a higher level of learning and personal achievement, all while enjoying it with the company of others.
The show concluded with each dance member hand-in-hand taking a bow, thanking the audience and dancing off the stage to applause and a standing ovation by crowd members.
Vice President of the Sankofa African Dance Company Dennis Minus said, "I think it's very important we all never forget where we came from, and by that I mean people from all backgrounds. I believe it is important for everyone to be in touch with their roots and their culture and preserve it for themselves and especially the youth."
One of the dance company members said it is crucial to maintain a positive attitude while up on the stage performing.
“It’s crucial that we make sure we are all having a good time but it’s not something that’s too hard to do,” she said.
For more information about the Sankofa African Dance Company and the Inner City Cultural League of Arts, visit www.ICCLArts.org.
The women of the Sankofa African Dance Company exited the stage to a standing ovation after a performance in the Lighthouse Cove of the Owens Campus. Photo by B. Weber
Host Michael Brown informing the audience about the instruments being used by the drummers, which are made from sheep skin, and wood. Photo by B. Weber
One dance consisting of just three of the girls, incorporates fast pace movements and in sync pirouetting. Photos by B. Weber
Video by B. Weber