I come from a country where celebration is inseparable from music, and music inevitably leads to movement. I may not come from a family of dancers, but whenever we gather for graduations, birthdays, traditional ceremonies, or emgidini, one thing is guaranteed: we sing and we dance.
The Rhythm of My Life
In my younger years, my friends and I were known for our love of going out. We didn’t just attend parties and clubs; we showed up to dance! When we stepped onto the dance floor, we danced with intention, as though our lives depended on it. Looking back, I realize that this culture of movement existed long before today’s global rise of Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Gqom.
In South Africa, we danced to house music and kwaito, with steps like isipantsula and qopetsa, among many other dance styles. Our love for dance runs so deep that it would take pages to fully document. But one thing is certain: we always make space for more people in the circle. “We make the circle bigger!” Dance lives in our blood, not always in grand leaps, but in subtle movements—the instinctive sway that happens when rhythm and sound touch the soul.
Rediscovering Dance in Lagos
When I moved to Lagos over a decade ago, my fellow co-producer on Dance to the Beat, Pris, introduced me to Zumba. That moment reignited my relationship with movement and reminded me how deeply dance is woven into my identity. Fast forward to 2020, when the world came to a halt. While many things stopped, people’s connection to music and dance did not.
During lockdown, dance became a lifeline—a way to stay sane, healthy, and connected. I was one of those people, staying active through Zumba and dancing with my Zumba community in Lagos, even while physically locked down in South Africa. Dance carried me through that period, and unknowingly, a year later, it was the common thread that led me to join Priscilla Nzimiro Nwanah and Gladys Edeh as part of the producing team for Dance to the Beat.
The Importance of Telling Our Story
Initially, I didn’t fully grasp the scale of the social movement or the urgency of telling the Afro-dance story. It was through working alongside this talented duo that I realized the depth of what we were holding. We have a story to tell—one that matters to future generations and to the preservation of our culture.
In Africa, dance is more than performance; it is storytelling, remembrance, gratitude to our forefathers, and a living archive of who we are. To dance is to ensure that our traditions endure, carried forward by the rhythm of our bodies and the stories they tell.
A Rich Cultural Tapestry
Every day on this project reminds me that we are so rich in Africa. We have so much to give to the world! Through music and fashion, we have succeeded in sharing part of our richness as a people. However, we must do more with dance. Let it be our story to tell.
This journey continually reminds me why I am a storyteller. Stories like the significance of Afro dance reaffirm our responsibility to future generations. We must preserve its narrative, honor our roots, and keep our traditions alive through intentional storytelling.
To be entrusted with telling such a culturally rich story speaks to the importance of dance itself—its history, the people behind the movements, the defining moments, and its global influence. These stories deserve global recognition. We believe that with your support, we can elevate them to the stage they belong on.
Conclusion: Keep Moving
Until then, I will keep moving. Dance is not just an art form; it’s a way of life. It’s a celebration of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. So let’s keep the rhythm alive!
By
Lusanda Chauke
Producer, Dance to the Beat Film
