Music That Makes You Dance

Shango, which means “ Chant to the God of Thunder” is one of the many musical rituals that’s main purpose is to be danced to. This particular piece is derived from the West African culture. The musician Babatunde Olatunji was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 1950. He created an album in 1958 called “drums of Passion” which included SHh ango as the final track. The Tribesmen who worshiped the god of thunder are called Yoruba tribesmen and are very emotional and spiritual people.

During the Shango ritual the sprit is said to enter the body and overpower people. This has been known to be so strong that some people have even passed out because of the dance. People have also been known to expose themselves to fire and not be harmed because the sprit watches over their body and soul.

This piece includes very complex rhythmic patterns which makes the body want to get up and move. The different instruments which including the drum, rattles, gongs, and chants help to create a beat that is empowering to the tribesmen and people around them. I believe that this song in general would create a dance that was unique and moved the body with the beat of the drums. When the ritual begins to pick up I can picture everybody’s heads swaging and feet tapping until everyone entire body was included and letting the music overtake them.

Another song that we listened to in class that is similar to the Shango by inspiring dancing would be the “Grand Entry Song”. Not only was dancing shown in the video as a necessary part to this ritual but I believe that it makes you want to move even if your not actually in the performance.

“The Grand Entry” is the name of the entire ritual that is performed on the day of the Native American Powwow. The purpose of the Powwow was to draw together different members of different tribes for dancing, singing and competitions. The dancers enter in a single line and move towards the center