Retention: Oggun God of Metals

 

 I

 

Introduction

 

 Cultural retention is the act of retaining the culture of a specific ethnic group of people, especially when there is reason to believe that the culture, through inaction, may be lost. Many African-American cultures experience cultural retention as a result of the influx of Africans during the slave trade.

 

 

There is no movement without rhythm.

Link:  https://youtu.be/lVPLIuBy9CY

Question 1

What does the expression "there is no movement without rhythm" mean within the context of African dance? 

 

II

 

Learning Objectives

 

 

•  Understand the importance of the God of metals
  
•  Explain the relationship between dance and rituals in the context of Yoruba rituals
  
• Gather an awareness of the influence that Yoruba dances have had on Caribbeans cultures
  
•  Experience the explorations of dance moves from the Yoruba pantheon.

 

 

III

 

Main Lesson

 

1

 

 

 Wemilere

 

Link:

 https://vimeo.com/312332715

Question 2

After watching the video:

Briefly describe the main characteristics of each orisha showcased in the video.

 

 

 2

 

 Students explore Yoruba-Caribbean dance movement.

 

 

  3

 

Oggun

 

Santeria: The Religion by Migene Gonzalez Wippler (Page 44)

 

 

 Read the pages about Oggun.

Question 3

 

Why was Oggun is an important deity? 

 

 

 

IV

 

A Note to Remember

 

The African nations that became part of the cultural makeup of our continent as a result of the slave trade brought with them their culture, their gods and their dances.

 

 

 

V

 

Case Study

Conjunto Folklorico Nacional

 VI

Journaling

 

VII

Glossary

 

VIII

Sources

 

IX

Students' Work 

 

1

 

Elebba

 

 Sophia Tripodi, Alyssa Arroyo, Tori Howell, & Lana Fell

Elebba represents life and death, sometimes a child, or an old man. The cutting back and forth represents his michievous character or him opening up the paths of goodness. Stomping and wild flinging of arms represent his childlike nature. The hook represnts cutting through grass, which is what they would have to it in their native lands.

 

 2

 Oshun

 

 Maggie, Gaby, Tatiana, Norel

The dance represents fertility. The sweetness of the water. The goddess laughs while dancing. She wears lots of yellow, has a crown, and a fan. Uses lots of graceful movements. Her dance moves tend to be flowing.  The fan is represented by her vanity and beauty. This dance defines feminine energy. 

 

3 

 

Oggun

Natalie, Georgia, Max

 

Oggun is the owner of the forest, the forge, and metals. He represents the work that needs to be put into forging and using metal tools. The dances that represent him show the fiercness his creations allow warriors to have and the dextarity needed to use metal objects. The warriors depicted in the dance show off their special skills they use in battle and their strength in every move they make.

 

 

 

 Oya

 Anna, Erin, Boxiang

 

 

 How they dress: They wear rainbow skirts and lots of color. What is means: It represents change, rebirth and transformation. Its the goddess of winds, lightening and storms. The skirts represents the importance of their rituals with different materials and fabrics.How they dance: The dancers use lots of movement with their dresses and skirts. The movements are sharp but also flowy. These dances are very powerful. Phrase reflecting the movements: Fighting the storm bringing rebirth and transformation.

 

4 

 

Carolina Mojena, Alexandra Lofgren, Sheamus Yuwen

 

Shango

 

Shango uses dance in his culture in various ceremonies. Looking at it from the outside it does not seem like traditional dance because they are moving freely rather than choreographically. This tribe creates their movement based on the connection and possession of higher spirits. Therefore, as you can tell in the video their facial expressions play a big part in the dancing as well.

 

5

Babalu-Aye

 

 

Ava, Duke, Franchesca

Babalu-Aye cures all diseases with the help of all the orishas he restores health. The video portrays the way Babalu-Aye cures people with the help of others orishas. In the video there is someone with sores who is clearly suffering very badly on the ground. Then Babalu-Aye comes in and with the help of the orishas is able to restore the poor mans health.