4.1 African dance  (Page 4/3)

Arts and culture

Grade 9

Creating, interpretation and presentation

Module 15

African dance

DANCE

This term you will be exploring the exciting genre of ‘African Dance’ and you will create your own African Dance for Heritage Day in September!

First you need to warm up your body in order for you to use your body to its full capacity.

Activity 1:

To warm up the body before activity can be executed

[lo 1.4]

The warm-up reduces the risk of injury and will make the dances easier to do.

It will be easier and more fun if you do the warm-up with music. Choose music that is not too fast.

Preparation:

stand with feet a hip-width apart, feet facing forward, arms hanging down

• It is important to keep your body alignment in order to isolate the specific muscles that are being warmed up.
• Correct body alignment will prevent injuries.
• Only move the body parts and muscles prescribed.

Breathing exercises:

• For four counts breathe in through the nose, gradually lifting the arms sideways.
• Stretch your spine.
• For four counts breathe out through your mouth, gradually lowering your arms.
• Repeat breathing exercise..
• Stand with feet hip-width apart – knees slightly bent – arms to your sides.
• Repeat four times.

W alking and arm warm-up:

• Walk on the spot in time to the music.
• Lift arms straight up forward to shoulder height and drop (eight times).
• Lift arms straight up to the sides – shoulder height, and drop (eight times).
• Lift arms straight from shoulder height and bring to the front and out to sides again (eight times).
• Combine arm exercises – repeat each exercise eight times.
• Repeat each exercise four times.
• Repeat each exercise twice.
• Continue walking on the spot while executing arm movements.

Walking and travelling:

• Walk forwards for four counts – lead with the right leg.
• Walk backwards for four counts – still facing the front.
• Walk to the right for four counts.
• Turn around and walk to the left for four counts.
• Add arm movements.
• Repeat walking exercise eight times with arm movement.

Walking with direction changes:

• Walk to the front for four counts.
• Walk backwards – facing forwards, for four counts.
• Turn to the right – walk to right for four counts.
• Turn to the left – walk to the left for four counts.
• Walk for four counts to the diagonal right corner.
• Walk backwards for four counts to starting position.
• Walk to the left corner for four counts.
• Walk backwards for four counts, to starting position.
• Turn around and walk to the right back corner for four counts.
• Walk backwards for four counts to starting position.
• Walk to the left corner for four counts.
• Walk backwards to starting position for four counts.
• Turn around and face the front.
• Repeat direction changes four times.

Walking with direction changes – additional:

• Repeat the direction changes formation.
• On every fourth count, lift your leg up forwards with bent knee.
• Repeat formation and lift leg up sideways with bent knee, on fourth count.
• Repeat formation and lift leg up backwards with bent knee – heel to buttocks on fourth count.
• Repeat formation and squat on the fourth beat.
• Add arm movements.
• You are free to combine this any way you like – be creative!