African Dance & Drumming
Forsyth welcomed Diádié Bathily (pronounced JAH-jay bah-chee-LEE), artistic director and founder of Afriky Lolo, back to campus for our annual two-week West African dance residency with students in Junior-Kindergarten through Grade 6 during PE classes.
Structured as a progression that builds on the students' knowledge and skills at each grade level, the multidisciplinary unit includes lessons on African countries, capitals, languages, culture, and even major exports, in addition to encompassing PE grade-level objectives like rhythm, locomotor and non-locomotor movement, motor planning, balance, stability, moving in space, fitness, etc.
Each year, students are challenged to learn faster, more advanced Diansa (pronounced JAHN-sah) dance steps and syncopated drum rhythms. Upper Division students in Grades 3–6 also learn Zaouli (pronounced zah-oo-lee), considered to be the most difficult dance in the world.
At the same time, students in Senior-Kindergarten through Grade 6 studied African drumming with Mr. Leohar during Music classes, including the djembe drum and its origins, the bass and tone sounds in drumming, and the rhythms of Diansa and Zaouli.
Students in Grades 5 and 6 performed dance and drumming demonstrations for the entire Forsyth community at our All-School Assembly on Friday, October 2, followed by culmination performances for families during PE classes on Wednesday, October 7. Following each grade's warm-up and performance, Diádié challenged parents and caregivers to join their students on the dance floor!
Special thanks to Coaches Justin Harris and Jen Ulsas (PE) and Ms. Rose Fischer (Music) for hosting these residencies in their classes. Click the photos below to see more!
