Friday, October 28, 2011
Urban Bush Women
In relation to our discussion about African American women in hip hop, Urban Bush Women is a visible, established dance company comprised of all African American/ethnic women. They create dances based on the history of black women in America, focusing on the idea of bringing to light the untold stories of disenfranchised people. They also aim to use their art and work to engage communities and inspire new generations to take pride and ownership over their bodies and the layers of connotations associated. Their dance pieces are often multi disciplinary, involving spoken word and imagery. Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, their director, has made pieces asking questions about hair, butts, storytelling and hands as symbolic of the transition from slavery to empowerment of identity. Here is their website and there are some pictures and excerpts of work there.. http://www.urbanbushwomen.org/
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Thanks so much for posting this. It raises such interesting questions about subcultures and identity. Do you have to fit the racial profile to fit into the subculture?
ReplyDeleteI've actually seen a show by the Urban Bush Women. It was very interesting, and like Megan said they communicate stories about Black experiences through dance in creative ways. To answer Peshe's question, the majority of the Bush Women are Black, but not all of them. At the show I saw, there was one Latina (which may not be so unexpected since she looked to be from an island where many have African ancestry) and there was one Asian woman. Maybe they were more connected to the dance subculture than to the Bush Women message. My guess is that their decision to be a member of the Bush Women was based on a combination of both.
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