Local Instructor Gives African
Dance Lesson in Olmsted Lobby
Did you know that drums have meaning? Everything has significance,
from the way they are made to the rhythms they produce and the way they make
the human body move. "There is always something behind everything we do,"
says dance instructor Rafiygua Muhammad.
Muhammad led Penn State Harrisburg students in a West African dance
class on February 5 in the Olmsted lobby.
Dance and drum instruction are not the only types of learning that took
place in Muhammad's workshop. "You are here to learn about my culture," said
Muhammad.
Through the workshop, Penn State Harrisburg was given a hands-on
lesson in West African culture. Students took off their shoes and moved to the
rhythm of the throbbing drum beats.
This class was not for the out-of-shape, however. "You have to warm
up first," said Kenisha Davis. "It was fun and exciting, but tiring," said Veronica
Hailey. Everyone involved worked up a sweat while learning culture at the same
time. Muhammad said that it is important to know about your culture. "Each
and every one of you har a culture that you need to explore," she said.
Muhammad is the Artistic Director with Ngozi Inc., a Harrisburg-based
African dance studio. Students in Ngozi classes learn various African dances as
well as how to build their own drums.
For more information on Ngozi Inc. and other African culture opportu
nities, call (717) 234-7724 or (717) 232-8803.
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BY Steve Standridge
Capital Times Staff Reporter
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photo by Steve Standridge
Local African dance instructor Rafiygua Muhammad gives a
lesson to Kenisha Davis (left) and Veronica Hailey (right)
at 9:30