Little drummer boys and girls celebrate African traditions in Provo
Yvonne Baraketse teaches during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Students make beaded bracelets and necklaces during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Kalea Chantry and Keilgh Chantry play under chairs with Sophie Kunzler during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Yvonne Baraketse teaches during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
African drums are played during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Eloha Baraketse dances during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Kalea Chantry and Keilgh Chantry play under chairs with Sophie Kunzler during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Hannah Mosbacker carries a fellow student during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Students play African drums during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Students make beaded bracelets and necklaces during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. Read more at http://bit.ly/2aBdbn8.
Kalea Chantry and Keilgh Chantry play under chairs with Sophie Kunzler during an African dance and culture class at the Provo Library, Friday, July 29, 2016. The Provo Library is hosting a two-day workshop where kids and adults learn traditional songs, dances and drumming from Africa from experienced African guest artists. See more at http://bit.ly/2aBdbn8.
It was a beautiful mosaic of browns, tans, and ivory skin tones Friday morning at the Provo Library at Academy Square.
Various kids of all colors gathered for the first ever African Dance and Drumming Camp, taught by Yvonne Baraketse and her friends and family. The children joyfully pounded out rhythms on the djembe drums, and stomped their feet, sending jangle notes into the air from amayogi ankle bells. Library patrons passing by the Special Events Room in Academy Square paused to listen to the drum’s heavy sounds.
The event was definitely an active one for the kids. They learned a variety of African dances and songs – most of which they performed simultaneously. Baraketse took them through simpler but energetic steps, with fun hand movements that mimicked picking up a harvest, or gathering in friends or family.
To give the kids a few moments to catch their breath during the three-hour workshop, Baraketse shared some facts and descriptions of Africa. She hoped to educate and dispel some of the negativity that might surround the continent.
“We all have stereotypes about Africa, even those of us from Africa. There are things we don’t know,” Baraketse said.
Baraketse grew up in Rwanda in Central Africa, “where every event was, and continues to be, highlighted by dance,” she said. Her love of dance continued into adulthood, and she’s performed and taught around the world. After moving to Utah, Baraketse co-founded Elikya African American Youth Performing Arts Group, which is now Asante Performing Arts. She is also the artistic director and president of Ngoma y’Africa Cultural Center, a nonprofit based in Provo, with a mission to “preserve and increase understanding of African culture through the arts such as storytelling, languages, music, dance, and other educational experiences.”
Friday’s African Drumming and Dancing class, and its accompanying Saturday morning class for adults, was driven by that same goal. Baraketse hopes this event is just one of many others to come.
“In Africa, dancing and drumming is a part of our every day life. This is a chance for people to have the experience of Africa without going to Africa,” Baraketse said. “On T.V., we only see the more negative images from Africa. But we want to show them the beauty of Africa.”
Most of the children dancing on Friday were very excited about the country’s beauty even while surrounded, as they were, by the walls of the Provo building. The pounding drums, bells, tribal music, and bamboo and tin shakers transported them to the lushness of the African continent.
“I came because I really wanted to learn African dance and the culture. It’s been really fun,” said Lexi Hall, a young Orem resident. “I really want to go to Africa.”
Eloha Baraketse, Yvonne’s daughter, brought her best friend, Elyse Kunzler. They love doing other things together, but Elyse had seen Eloha performing on Alex Boye’s “Little Drummer Boy” video and wanted to share this part of her as well.
“It looked so cool,” Elyse said.
And as they giggled, hands clasped together during the workshop’s dance-off song, “Africa Rising,” it was all very, very cool.
