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American-based Ghanaian choreographer, cultural promoter, and educator Moses Frimpong, popularly known as Usher1Baby, has issued a vital call to the next generation of Ghanaian and other African dancers to take the study, practice, and preservation of traditional Ghanaian dance seriously.
According to the dance advocate, Ghana has a rich cultural heritage expressed through its traditional dances, rhythms, movements, stories, costumes, music, and ceremonies. On his social page, he stated his conviction that dancers have a responsibility not only to entertain audiences but also to become custodians of the culture and traditions that define Ghana.
Africa has a diverse cultural heritage, which can hugely impact the current trends of choreography. Instead of sticking to the Afro Dance, Usher1Baby entreats African choreographers to view traditional dance as an important part of the education and development of every serious Ghanaian dancer.
The Ghanaian dance ambassador is always passionate about helping build a generation of dancers that understands both the art of dance and the cultural identity behind it. He argues that the Ghanaian traditional dance can serve as the foundation from which dancers develop modern and contemporary styles while maintaining a strong connection to their heritage.
For the global choreographer, traditional dance should not be treated as something belonging only to the older generation or performed occasionally at cultural events. He believes Ghanaian dancers must understand where their movements come from before developing the contemporary styles and taking Ghanaian dance to the international stage.
Usher1Baby is a co-founder of U Dance Arts International USA (UDAI USA LLC), founder of the Ghana Dancers Association, and a founder associated with initiatives including the Ghana Dance Awards and United Dance Organization, he says his vision goes beyond creating performances. He wants to see a future where every professional and aspiring dancer in Ghana has at least a basic understanding of the traditional dance patterns of the various Ghanaian ethnic and cultural communities.
The African cultural dance is slowly losing its value and popularity. It must be sustained and passed on to the next generation tomorrow. From Adowa, Kpanlogo, Agbadza, Borborbor, and Bamaya to the many other traditional forms practiced across the country. Usher1Baby believes these dance patterns should be studied, documented, taught, performed, and passed from one generation to another.
The international choreographer has spent years working within the dance and cultural space, advocating for greater recognition, professional development, and opportunities for exceptional African dancers, especially those with Ghanaian decent. If taught in dance schools, workshops, communities, cultural institutions, youth programs, competitions, festivals, and professional dance organizations, the cultural heritage of the blessed land will prevail.
By: Brah Alidu
