Executive Director Linsey McDaniel turns whimsically about in the center of them with a grace and intensity that captures the essence of West African dance.<\/p>\n
NewsOne Presents Still Blooming In The Whirlwind: Pittsburgh As A Black Cultural And Artistic Mecca<\/p>\n
Each step and gesture speak of centuries-old traditions\u2014from the elegance of Mali and the spiritedness of Senegal to the power of Guinea. In this sacred space, the essence of African culture and its presence in Pittsburgh comes alive.<\/p>\n
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Linsey McDaniel, Executive Director of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble. | Courtesy of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble<\/p>\n
\u201cAfrican dance is more than just movement; it\u2019s a celebration of community and culture,\u201d McDaniel explains. \u201cEach dance tells a story and connects us to our roots, bringing people together in a shared expression of joy and history.\u201d<\/p>\n
McDaniel calls to the dancers, both commanding and encouraging, often embodying the spirit of Balafon\u2019s legendary founder Kadiatou Conte-Forte<\/a>, affectionately known as Mama Kadiatou, who founded the group in 2006.<\/p>\n Decades earlier, amid rapid growth of African-based arts in the U.S., McDaniel was her inspired and budding student, beginning a 30-year mentorship McDaniel likens more to kinship. So, when Mama Kadiatou passed away in July 2022, the responsibility of carrying forward her profound commitment to celebrate African culture and empowering women naturally fell on her.<\/p>\n One of many performances the dance ensemble has convened throughout Pittsburgh over the last two decades. | Courtesy of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble<\/p>\n \u201cTaking on this role was both an honor and a challenge,\u201d McDaniel reflects. \u201cMama Kadiatou\u2019s vision and spirit are incredibly large, but her teachings continue to guide me every day.\u201d<\/p>\n As Balafon Dance Ensemble forges ahead in its next chapter, a mission to raise social consciousness through the art of dance remains a core commitment.<\/p>\n During the late 1970s and early 1980s, in the early years following Mama Kadiatou\u2019s migration to Washington, D.C., from Guinea, African dance forms were beginning to gain traction in the U.S., driven by a growing fascination with African culture and heritage. It led to the establishment of ensembles and cultural institutions all across the country.<\/p>\n This surge coincided with an increase of African immigrants who further infused African arts and traditions into the American landscape.<\/p>\n For McDaniel, that history and kinship between African and Black American communities in Pittsburgh serves as the root of its commitment to being a local resource in the midst of its growth.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not just a community, this is home for me,\u201d she says. \u201cSo, my commitment is to always ask myself how we are furthering this particular art form in a way that connects to all generations of Africans and Black Americans here.\u201d<\/p>\n Founded in 2006, the West African Dance Ensemble seeks to embody the spirit of its founder, Mama Kadiatou Conte-Forte, center. | Courtesy of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble<\/p>\n Such a pledge comes as efforts to restrict history and race-related education occur across the country.<\/p>\n Balafon<\/a> serves as a sanctuary for women, a place where they can lead, teach, and inspire others through the art of dance, in the spirit of Mama Kadiatou\u2019s grassroots work spanning more than 45 years.<\/p>\n At the time, Kadiatou stood as a visionary, and, McDaniel adds, her legacy is a powerful statement about cultural preservation, performance, as well as gender equality and empowerment.<\/p>\n Balafon\u2019s legendary founder, Mama Kadiatou Conte-Forte. | Courtesy of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble<\/p>\n \u201cMama Kadiatou was a trailblazer in creating one of the first women-led organizations in this field,\u201d McDaniel points out. \u201cWe want to create a space where women can lead, perform, and inspire at a time when we\u2019re still being held back.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet challenges remain, particularly regarding representation.<\/p>\n Today McDaniel stands as one of the industry\u2019s few women organizational leaders.<\/p>\n Mama Kadiatou\u2019s philosophy was deeply rooted in the belief that dance could be a vehicle for social consciousness, blending the rich traditions of West African culture with messages of female empowerment and unity. Her legacy lives on through Balafon, continuing to inspire and uplift women in the world of African dance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just about showing up, but really being a presence,\u201d McDaniels insists. \u201cIt\u2019s asking ourselves how can we make sure that those who love and appreciate us are working in step together with us?\u201d<\/p>\n Amid McDaniel\u2019s focus on recruiting and training new dancers exists a deep understanding of the importance of authenticity and respect for the traditions they represent.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s crucial that our dancers understand the cultural significance behind each movement,\u201d she explains. \u201cThis is about more than just dance; it\u2019s about preserving and honoring our heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n The time calls for such a demand, both in Pennsylvania and across the country, as xenophobia and anti-immigrant bias stoke misinformation that pits Black communities against one another, and school systems restrict access to the racial education to combat it.<\/p>\n Linsey McDaniel: \u201cAfrican dance is a celebration of community and culture.\u201d | Courtesy of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble<\/p>\n McDaniel notes that at Balafon, they\u2019re not just teaching dance, they\u2019re \u201cinstilling pride, discipline, and a sense of identity.\u201d That centering of self and social consciousness not only garners prominence in the community but ensures the ensemble\u2019s sustainability.<\/p>\n She adds their work is a testament to the enduring power of dance to preserve culture, empower individuals, and bring communities together as society seems aimed to wedge them apart.<\/p>\n \u201cDance is a universal language,\u201d she says. \u201cThrough our community programs, we\u2019re able to share our culture, educate others, and foster a sense of connection.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of their mission to highlight those connections, McDaniel says Balafon\u2019s immediate goal is establishing a permanent base to \u201cmaintain continuity, visibility, and a sense of home for our dancers and community.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Balafon](\"https:\/\/blacktwitter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/17213995955983.jpg\")
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