"This is a company that makes you sit up and take notice for all the right
reasons"
(Deirdre Kelly Globe & Mail)
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CURRENT
REPERTOIRE 2008 -2009 SEASON
The highly spirited choreographic works of COBA, Collective Of Black Artists, range from
Traditional African, Caribbean Indigenous Folk to Modern and Contemporary forms. These
dances and their music serve as an education an inspiration to all audiences.
Bodika
(Sessions) (Contemporary ) 2005
Length: 18 mins
Music: Usumi Tiako, Famadou Konyate
Choreography: Vincent Sekwati Koko Mantsoe
About: Among the Pedi ethnic group of South Africa a "Bodika" is a rites
of passage ritual for boys to enter in the council of men. These rituals are often
referred to as sessions. In the work Bodika (Sessions) Mantsoe engages the concept of
communing and conversation to create a work that is as spiritually connected as it is
physically engaging.
Orisha Suite (1995)
LENGTH: 25mins
MUSIC: Traditional Drums and Chants
CHOREOGRAPHY: BaKari E. Lindsay
About: Despite the fact that West African slaves brought to the new world
were tortured, beaten, and forced to follow the Christian faith, their
religious beliefs survived and today are expressed throughout the world in
several varieties which include Anago, Oyotunji, Candomble, and Lucumi/Santeria.
An Orisha (also spelled Orixa) is a spirit which reflects one of the
manifestations of Olodumare(God), in Yoroba spritual or religous system.
Orisha Suite, is an excerpt from Dance Bele, BaKari E. Lindsay's full length
dance theatre production a tribute to Caribbean folk dance tradition.
Portrait
(Modern) 1994
LENGTH: 13 min
MUSIC: Nina Simone
CHOREOGRAPHY: BaKari E. Lindsay
ABOUT: PORTRAIT, a stark look at the human condition when dealing with issues of race and
equality.
Doun
Doun Dance (Traditional West African) 2008
Length: 20mins
Music: Traditional Drums and Chants
Choreography: Sis Robin Hibbert
About: Doun Doun Dance is a skilfully arrangement of the Guinea's spirited
KuKu rhythm and the high octane stick-drum dancing traditionally preformed
by women from the forest region Guinea West Africa.
Origanally only played on Djembe, KuKu is a rhythm played to mark the end of the harvest and celebration festivities.
© COBA (Collective Of Black Artists) Inc.
