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FESTIVAL DANCERS

Alafia Dance Ensemble

DANCE ORIGIN: Haiti
GENRE: African Haitian
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/FOUNDER: Valerie M. Watson
First Appearance SF EDF: 2008
Email: mailto:mi2mariella@yahoo.com

Ogu o, mwen blesse Ogu, oh I am wounded
Ferai o, mwen blesse Ferai, oh I am wounded
Mwen pa we sow we I don’t see what you see
Nago Song

In 1492, Columbus claimed present-day Haiti for Spain. In the 1600s, France acquired control of the colony, renamed it St. Dominique, and transported in 500,000 African slaves to farm sugar, coffee, cocoa, indigo, and cotton. St. Dominique became Europe''s most prosperous colony. It also became infamous for its exceptional cruelty to enslaved Africans.

In 1791, St. Dominique''s slaves began their long and bloody fight for freedom, and in 1803, they won. In the Battle of Vertières—the final battle of the Haitian Revolution—Haitians defeated 30,000 Napoleonic troops. This historic defeat delivered a major blow to France, and paved the way for the abolition of slavery in the Americas.

Alafia Dance Ensemble was founded 15 years ago by Valerie Watson, and is based out of the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) dance program. Watson has been affiliated with CCSF for over 40 years, where she studied Haitian dance as a student. This is the company''s first appearance in this Festival.

2008 PERFORMANCE

TITLE: Empowerment - Otorize
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/
CHOREOGRAPHER: Mariella Susana Morales
ASSISTANTS TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER: Gabriella Cole, Valerie M. Watson
DANCERS: Jennifer Baron, Cheryl Freeman, Brigitte Knight, Jessica Lagedrost, Sharon Lao, Mariella Emilia Morales, Mariella Susana Morales, Charlotte Nehm, Rita Pantaleon, Sarazeta Ragazzi, Orly Ramirez, Donalio Saldana, Vanessa Sanchez, Juan de Dios Soto, Dana Thomas, Valerie M. Watson
GUEST DANCERS FROM GROUP PETIT LA CROIX: Blanche Brown, Heather Easley, Portsha Jefferson, Linda Johnson, Shawn Merriman-Roberts, Rene Walker
MUSICIANS: Fasica Alemayehu, Baba Duru, Ron Jackson, Alfie Macias, Michelle Martinez, Preston Mitchell, Gaku Watanabe
VOCALISTS: Ka''ala Carmack, Sandrine Malary, Gloria Yamato

Alafia''s performance—titled Empowerment—celebrates the Battle of Vertières and the Haitian victory. Choreographer Mariella Morales created this piece in 2007 for the Haitian Vertières Day celebration at Ashkenaz; the choreography represents a culture that was abducted in the slave trade, brought to a new world, and kept alive through dance and song. The piece begins with Nago, continues with the blowing of a conch shell to sound the attack, and ends with a victory celebration, alive with the bright colors of Haiti''s first flag.

Traditionally, African and Haitian Vodou groups summon a set of ancestral spirits—lwas—with a unique set of rites, drumming rhythms, song, and dance. Empowerment uses five rhythm/dance/song groups associated with the Vodou lwas. The first, nago, is from the Nigerian Yoruba people and represents the Diety Ogun. The Nago lwas are warriors and leaders, giving masculine, fatherly council and support. The next rhythm is for the Petwo lwas, who are aggressive, demanding, quick, and protective. Many believe these to be the spirits of the original slaves and Haiti’s indigenous people—the Taino—who were almost completely wiped out after European contact. These spirits were invoked during the slave revolts and the defeat of Napoleon''s troops. The third rhythm, kongo, is from the Congo River basin. Kongo lwas are ancestors of the Bantu people, gracious spirits who enjoy song and dance. The fourth rhythm is rara, signifying a masquerade band of musicians associated with Vodou temples and secret societies. And, finally, the Gède lwas—with a rhythm and dance style called banda—are tricksters, dressed in black with white faces. These spirits control the cycle of death and life.

For the 30th Anniversary Festival, Alafia shares the stage with guest dancers from Group Petit La Croix, including Blanche Brown, one of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Awardees.