Bandan Koro | Griots... | Program

Celebrating local dance, theatre and art in the

Dallas Arts District.

Griots: Celebrating a Compilation of Dallas’ Cultural Storytellers of the African Diaspora Presented by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble

June 17, 2022

Griots: Celebrating a Compilation of Dallas’ Cultural Storytellers of the African Diaspora Director: Tony Browne Artistic Director: Mikoyienne Whitley Lighting Design: Aaron Johansen and Helena Magee Sound: MTTJ Productions Musicians Tony Browne (Musical Director/Djembe) Kweku Codrington (Shekere/Djembe) Edward Dogbe (Djembe) Ande Jones (Dundun) Ixchel Frierson (Sangba) Tim Patterson (Djembe) Nick Rothouse (Djembe)

Ensemble Dancers Tonya Compton Ashli Henderson Isis Simon Rodesia Scott Adrian Templeton Terrance Thomas (Choreographer) Mikoyienne Whitley (Artistic Director/Choreographer)

Guest Artists DJ Queen Agnes Michelle Gibson

Big Easy Brass Band Dana Harper & Rachel Francis Baba Leo Hassan Lang Middle School Students Friendship West

PRE-SHOW Sounds by: DJ Queen Agnes Please visit the gallery to learn more about Dallas’ Griots!

ACT I “SORSORNET” Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble Sorsornet comes from the Baga people of Guinea, West Africa.

It is a mask rhythm/dance done to honor the teachings of life and the mask, Sorsornet, is one of the masks which were seen as bringers of good luck.

Lyrics to Sing Along: Call & Response US: M’baraka felenkoee, N’doro mamuna komna M’baraka feleko n’gayo n’gaa, N’doro mamuna komna Translation: Thank you mother, for giving me personality

YOU: N’tapelindoee, n’tapelindoee, n’tapelindoee zinezagona banganiee Translation: Don’t worry, I will soon join my husband now

THE GRIOT SPEAKS Baba Leo Hassan Throughout this act, The Djeli, also known as the Griot, provides the connection from the past to the present. We recognize that our history and culture are a source of our strength. Tonight, the Djeli initiates the induction of Dallas’ greats.

“A TRIBUTE TO AFIAH BEY” Performed by Baba Leo Hassan & H.W. Lang Middle School Students Funga Alafia is a greeting song sung through parts of West Africa.

“Alafia” means “good health” or “peace” in Yoruba.

Lyrics to Sing Along Funga alafia, Translation: Hello, peace áse, áse Translation: Let it be so, let it be so Kuku is a rhythm from the Manian ethnic group of Guinea, West Africa and it is a celebration dance done for a successful harvest.

“WOMEN’S TRIBUTE” Paying Homage to Sister Akwete Tyehimba, Ms. Vicki Meek and Ms. Marilyn Clark Performed by Bandan Koro Musicians Yamama is from the Susu ethnic group, also called “Mamaya”. This rhythm honors the female spirit of Yamama. On this occasion they will ask her for whatever they need for the coming year.

“PACK LIGHT!: AN ODE TO E. BADU” Performed by: Dana Harper, Rachel Francis, JeMarcus Bridges, and Bandan Koro

One of the biggest lessons E. Badu taught us all is to “pack light.”

This soulful compilation of her greatest hits is our way of giving this living legend her flowers while she’s still here to appreciate them.

“NOLA TO DALLAS” Honoring Michelle Gibson Performed by Big Easy Brass Band & New Orleans Original Buckshop Kids We celebrate how Gibson has shared the culture and Diasporic traditions of Black New Orleans as pertains to the history of the city, while acquainting audiences with Second Line as a rooted spiritual impulse for movement.

INTERMISSION

Sounds by: DJ Queen Agnes

ACT II “MANDIANI” Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble Mandiani is a social dance of the Malinke people of Guinea and Mali, West Africa. It is a rite of passage rhythm that honors young women as they enter into womanhood. Once the girls come off the shoulders of their successors and touch the earth, they become “Mandiani” - my sweet child.

“GUINEA FARE” Honoring Mikoyienne Whitley Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble

A compilation of a family of rhythms referred to as Guinea Fare meaning “women’s dance”. It claims the sassy, strong and brilliant nature of women.

Today, it is played for weddings and other celebratory gatherings, and it can be danced by male and female dancers.

“SWEET SHEKERE” Honoring Nana Kweku Codrington Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble We honor our Elder, Nana Kweku, with sounds of the sweet shekere. The shekere is a West African percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd. The Shekere originated in a tribe in Nigeria called the Yoruba tribe.

“CONVERSATION” Honoring Baba Leo Hassan Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble African Drums have been used for centuries for many important purposes, including communication, bringing communities together, and even to bring about healing and specific energies. They accompany rites of passage ceremonies, weddings, funeral rites, and other communal celebrations. Each drum has its own voice… and each rhythm is a conversation.

“BALANTA” Honoring Tony Browne Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble The dance of the warrior. The Balantes were the only nation in the Senegambia region that remained free from European colonization through fierce resistance. They are renowned throughout the region for their powerful military and social institutions.

“TONY’S INTERLUDE” Honoring His Griots of Dallas Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble Through rhythmic cadences of call and response, Bandan Koro’s Founder and Director honors those who have paved the way for him to carry Bandan Koro forward as a part of the Arts scene in Dallas by contributing to his knowledge and influence.

“LIBATIONS” Nana Kweku Codrington Bandan Koro’s elder and advisor, Nana Kweku, connects the traditions of honoring our ancestors through a ceremonial presentation.

“LAMBA” Honoring Dallas’ Griots and All Ancestors Performed by Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble In tradition, Lamba honors the Griot or the Djeli in the village. It is also played for many ceremonies such as births and marriages where the people dance Lamba in honor of God and ancestors. Today, Lamba is still played and danced for the very same reason, using movements that exude praise, gratitude, and joy.

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