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My Dancing Ancestors

My Dancing Ancestors

Author: Verushka Pather
Date: 2023-08-31

Under the dark African sky, I lay and reminisce about my family under this majestic drape where the stars and moonlight were the spotlights to their stage. This was the setting on many nights where our ancestral family would gather as brothers and sisters and rid themselves of the vicious cycle of slavery of the day.

At night they became Kings and Warriors in the roles of storytellers, dancers, and poets. With great enthusiasm and vigour, they would stamp their feet raising the dust from the earth, believing in the stories they told in the old-fashioned style of, The rukoothu.

A South Indian tradition that brought our scripture alive and in these difficult times, kept our traditions thriving. My ancestors danced in natural harmony and rhythm, no classes or structure but what was felt from their hearts.

Their stories of scripture spoke of the glories of the power of Mother Marieamman our village Mother of protection, Lord Muruga, our warrior and saviour, our mercifulLord Ganesha and the majestic Lord Shiva, all deities that reigned as the heads of the community and our homes today.

Their dance and storytelling brought alive the landscapes of their homes, their plantations, their traditions and the longing for homeland.

Now,163 years later the African sky is the drape of harmonious imprinting to theAfrican drum. We dance and move in constant evolution of time and space.

My stories now share the trials and joys of my descendants and resonance of my people that walk with me. We dance stories of forgiveness, hope, courage and resilience that aims to bring communities together, sharing this journey together.

Dance is our powerful tool to synchronise our emotions and the burst of love born allows us to embrace life, live authentically and purposefully.

AsMahatma Gandhi has embedded in us, "A Nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people."