Mixing Urban With Traditional Dance

Batalo East participants at Bayimba International Festival of the Arts

As people around the world become more connected through the internet and smartphones, there is concern among local groups that aspects of their culture may become lost. Then, as those who remember their culture become older and die, those traditions won't be passed on to the younger generation, losing the unique cultural qualities of these local groups.

In order to get Kampala youth interested in traditional dance, Abdul Kinyenya enlisted the help of Breakdance Project Uganda and Tabu Flo Dance to combine modern urban dance with traditional dance. The concept of integrating both forms of dance came together in BATALO EAST, an organization which has been spreading this Afro-fusion dance within Uganda and internationally.



Mr. Kinyenya promoted the organization's work this way, "Batalo East is driving positive social change. In an open, constructive, and encouraging environment, we are speaking to young people who are growing up in a globalized world where there traditional roots are increasingly eroded."

The urban educational system was also contributing to the erosion of cultural traditions through lack of exposure. There was no integration of cultural traditions and arts into the educational curriculum, thus losing the learning opportunities presented in the educational system. This is where Batalo East really stepped in, utilizing the expertise of the professionals involved in its formation. Through various activities, such as dance jams, workshops, outreach, advocacy, collaboration, and a dance festival, this organization has been engaging youth and filling the gap in their education.

Back in October the monthly dance workshop was devoted to Nelayo traditional dance, which comes from eastern Uganda. Attendees got a chance to learn and apply the dance techniques presented into the urban dance styles with which many were familiar. By the way, these monthly dance workshops are open not just to dancers, but to interested members of the public.

Some of the youth who participate in the activities of Batalo East.

The Jams are offered on the last Saturday of the month in a studio space above the National Theatre. As with most of the sessions offered by Batalo East, Jams utilize one traditional dance tradition techniques and applies them into hip hop dance. Within the session, participants view clips of the traditional dance and discuss how these moves can be incorporated into urban dance with a professional dancer. Then in the jam portion, participants can experiment individually or in groups with the combination of traditional and urban dance forms. No particular skill level is touted, just a good attitude, comfortable clothing, and water to remain hydrated.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/abdul-kinyenya-batalo-east/; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bataloeast/posts/1529486497159471; this post on Batalo East:  http://www.bataloeast.org/project/the-equation-jams/; and the above link.

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