west african Contemporary Dance with lacina coulibaly

LENGTH: 72 min. LEVEL: Advanced-Intermediate SPACE: Large

Sigini, the essential of dance.

Sigini is the result of an analytical and pedagogical approach to the practice and the study of dance in Africa, and in particular West Africa. It establishes three principles to design, write and sculpt the movement danced. This semantic and pedagogical approach highlights the kinesthetic form of dance, its relational extension in and with space, as well as the structure of rhythmic which regulates and defines the technique of the so-called dance.

Sigi which means “to incarnate, to live” and Ni “soul” / will translate as a way of dancing while incarnating, inhabiting the movement with one's soul. In Africa, dancing is a celebration of the living, what has been, what is and what will be. Sigi-ni is not just an aesthetic; this essential is based on a conceptual vision of the Universe.

  1. Sigi, the principle of incarnation.

Sigi means to sit, to inhabit, to anchor, to integrate, to incarnate, these words are typical the initiatory journey of the chosen dancer in Africa.

Sigi is the foundation, the geometric structure of the body and we also know that the tenacity, efficiency and beauty of everything things depends on its geometric structure. In geometry also refers to dimensional aspects and composition.

  1. Ta-a-ma, the relational principle

Ta-a-ma, in Bamanan language means to walk but in Bamanan it constitutes an action then an intension.

It is the principle that favors the extension, the relationship, within oneself, one's space or any other agent existing in space or one's imaginary. Ta-a-ma is perceived as the propulsion of the movement.

In Ta-a-ma the participant learns to orient oneself in space, the writing and the articulation of the movement take place in space. Giving life to the space begins.

  1. Fo-li-Sén, the organizational principle 

Fo-li-sé-n, in Bamanan means rhythm. It is the universal organizer that allows us to maintain, deepen and innovate our relationship and our commitment in and with space. It is the organic structure that organizes and defines the rules of dance. This principle organizes and unifies all things (emotions, intentions, movements, etc.) into a singularity of diversity.

Sigini is a way of dancing, embodying movement with one soul. The only way that guides or allows the one to be the architect of the body and the poet of the soul.

Music: Boubacar Diabaté

Dancers: Danzatakara, Melody Tai, Carla Melaco, and Emily Pacilio

Category: West African Contemporary