This dance performance traces the story of a dark love and betrayal that poisons the village of Khinyinyi. Inspiration for this performance is drawn from the African religious practices of the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria, specifically their Orishas (Gods and Goddesses). This narrative focuses on the four Orishas: Shango, Ogun, Oya, and Yemaya.
The culmination of our research is a narrative structure and composition that sets this story in South Africa, where we believe it to be artistically relevant. We made use of the stories of the Orishas to stimulate our (re)imagining of material and dance vocabulary that encourage an embodiment of story. Through movement investigation and dramaturgy, we attempt to show how African stories from diverse countries can be similar and address common themes, while exploring this richness in diversity and potential for new fictional works.
About BABA YAYA African Performing Arts Academy:
"Liberating Creative Excellence"
The BABA YAYA African Performing Arts Academy is dedicated to providing training and opportunities in the arts to talented youths from under-resourced communities. The NGO specifically works with highly skilled teachers and creatives in order to offer its students an environment of excellence. With a rigorous dance, performance and investigative oriented curriculum, the objectives of the organisation are to transform its students into the creative leaders of the future.
Direction: Mhlanguli George & Co-directed by Maxwell Xolani Rani
Choreography: Maxwell Xolani Rani & Co-choreographed by Mhlanguli George
Performers: P3 & P4 Dance Performers’ Students of the University of Cape Town’s Centre
for Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies (CTDPS) & Baba Yaya African Performing Arts Academy.
Venue: The Little Theatre, UCT Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Dates: 27th & 28th October 2022
Time: 20h00
Run Time: 1 hour
Tickets: Quicket
Entrance: Free, donations welcome via Quicket