AFeeree derives its name from the Mande word
“Feeree” meaning training or method and draws on
the physical aesthetics of Traditional West African
dance culture of the Sene-Gambian region and
Caribbean Indigenous Folk dances of Trinidad and
Tobago. AFeeree is a physical language and
identifies muscular development, body attitude,
shape, rhythm and pulse as essential elements
within these dance cultures, emphasizing their
muscular usage in day to day activities and how
these are manifested into what is identified as
“dance”. It is a non-perfectionist language that is
based on a key principle rather than well-defined
positions. This Key principle is the Natural Bends of
the body an essential body position dominating most African dances. The degree of each joints bends depends on the natural physical ability of each individual dancer. Thus the essential body position in African dance emerges in endless variations, but the common principle is The Natural Bends.
The advantages of this genial principle is that the natural bends provide the dancer with the freedom in their choice of movement, drawn from a large repertoire of natural movement vocabulary unlimited options for variation, combination and improvisation. Moreover, the natural bends allow each individual to perform the dance up to their ability.
Therefore, dance is Africa is accessible to everyone.
These are
Polyrhythm
- Is the concept that within movement there can be several rhythms happening at the same time.
Polycentrism
- Is the concept of dancing to all of the rhythms, filling all the time.
Curvilinear
- Is the reliance of symmetrical, proportional and profile oriented form.
Dimensionality
- Relates to texture in movement...something extra but promotes collectivism in terms of spirit and individuality in terms of artistry.
Epic Memory
- Contributes to the ideal in the African artistic expression “Perfection cannot be achieved unless the experience or memory senses is drawn upon.
Repetition
-Relates to the intensifying of a movement, sequence or the entire dance.
Holistic
- Refers to community, where parts of a creation or individual/s are emphasized and accentuated but not beyond the whole.
The seven (7) basic principles within the Movement Aesthetic of A - Feeree as adapted from the original principles by Dr. Kariamu Welsh-Asante