Teachers Guide

SLAVES

People held against their will and made to work for others without being paid or compensated.

GREAT SLAVE TRADE

The period of time between the late Seventeen Hundreds and early Eighteen Hundreds in the early days of America’s development, when many Black People were enslaved in Africa and brought to America, against their will, to work toward the development of America.

MIDDLE PASSAGE

The horrible journey experienced by captive African slaves on sailing ships across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to America and the Caribbean.

JAZZ MUSIC & DANCE

Music and Dance that has a definite African oriented poly-rhythm, that allows each performer a solo part.

TAP DANCE

Dance that has a definite African oriented poly-rhythm, that is formed in shoes with pieces of metal on the bottom, that enables the dancers to make rhythmic sounds when striking the floor while dancing.

GO-GO/POP  & BREAK DANCING

A contemporary form of social African rhythm oriented dance that uses limber body movements, contractions, and acrobatics in dance movements.

OLD WORLD OR CONTINENTAL AFRICAN

A Black person born on the continent of Africa.

NEW WORLD AFRICAN

A Black person born on the continent of North America.  An African-American.

SENEGAMBIA

The Northwestern coast of the continent of Africa, includes Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Mali.

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Introduction "Key Words"

TRIBE

An extended Family group of people related by blood and kinship

SOU-SOU

Name of a tribe or extended family group.

MALINKE

Name of a tribe or extended family group.

GODS

Supreme Beings.

ANCESTORS

Relatives or persons who lived long ago, who have died and whose spirit now dwell in the spirit world.

HOEING

Digging or cultivating the Earth.

HARVEST

Collecting ripened food.

MOTAR

A container that holds grain, etc. being ground by pounding.

PESTLE

A large stick round at one end used for pounding.

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Musical Instruments "Key Words"

D’JUN D’JUN

A large double-headed drum used to keep the orchestra’s tempo.

TEMPO

The speed of an orchestra, how Fast or Slow the orchestra plays.

D’JIMBE

A lead, solo and melody drum shaped like a champagne glass, played with the hands.

TAMMA

A double-headed talking drum, shaped like an hourglass, with strings on the sides, used to speak language and play music.

GOURD

A vegetable belonging to the pumpkin family that, when ripened, dries hard and is used for a variety of purposes, notably making musical instruments.

SHA SHA

A rattle instrument used to provide melody in an orchestra.

BALOPHONE 

The original Xylophone made of wood, with several keys that have small gourds under the bottom acting as sound chambers amplifying the sound as the keys are struck.

CORA

An original stringed gourd harp instrument used by Griots to accompany them while singing or reciting poetry or praise songs.

GRIOT

A traditional “Oral Historian” and singer of praise songs to chiefs and important persons.

ORAL HISTORIAN

One who speaks the history of a people rather than writes it.

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The Dances/KOU-KOU “Key Words”

ORDEALS 

Difficult and painful experiences designed to build character and endurance.

RITUALS

Ceremonies designed to bless and approve persons graduating from one level to the next.  An order of service.

ELDERS

Persons of mature age or older persons who, because of their age, knowledge and wisdom, officiate at important ceremonies.

PRIEST

A person who has given his life to the study of God and Nature and officiates at important rituals and ceremonies.

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The Dances/LAMBA “Key Words”

LAMBA

A word that means “Spirit.”

LAMBA DANCE

A spirit dance performed on important occasions, giving thanks to God and Ancestors for wisdom and knowledge in helping villagers to live a good life.

KO-SA-YOM-BEY

A Lamba song that ask the questions, “What Shall My Life Be?”

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The Dances/MANDIANI “Key Words”

COMMUNAL DANCING

A dance where everyone in the community participates.

CHILDHOOD

In African societies, that time between the ages of One and Twelve.

YOUNG ADULTHOOD

In African societies, that time between the ages of Thirteen and Twenty-One.

CELEBRATORY STANDARD

Something that must be done when Celebrations are held.

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