Other Dances
Dances of the Orishas is only part of the Afro-Cuban folklore that is showcased by the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional. See below examples of other dance performances and their connection to Afro-Cuban culture and history.
Abakuá
Abakuá is a secret, all male, society active in Cuba that traces its origins to the Ékue societies in West Africa. They hold anti-colonialist views and values of mutual aid for its members which has made it a “national symbol” in Cuba (Miller 2017, 4). Their cultural texts are orally recounted, and they contain myths, historical events, and ceremonial chants that are important to the society. However, because of the secrecy of the society these tales are told in the Abakuá language that is taught only to members and therefore is undecipherable to those outside the group. Because of this, songs, phrases, and musical traits of this society have become incorporated into popular culture while retaining its significance and meaning to members (Miller 2017).
This dance by the Conjunto Folklórico is representative of a ritual of the Abakuá and the observer can see Abakuá traditions, practices, and material culture incorporated into the performance (“ABAKUA (Fragmento) - YouTube” n.d.). Let’s break these down:
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In the song, we are hearing a call and response which is essential to the Abakuá performance (Miller 2017).
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‘Ekón’: this is the metal bell that is being struck throughout the performance. In an Abakuá ritual, its sound is meant to communicate to the spirit of the leopard. Metal bells are also worn around the waists of the costumed dancers that we see wearing colorful outfits and dark hoods. These dancers are representing the ‘Íreme’ and the bells are worn to ward of negative spirits (“3-Abakuá Ceremonial Music | Médiathèque Caraïbe (Laméca)” n.d.).
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We see one man with additional blue and yellow scarf adornments and wearing a red scarf on his head leading the ‘Íreme’ with an Eribó, which is a ceremonial drum and is not played. This drum has a plume sticking off the top. In ceremonies this would usually be one of four to represent the founding kings of the Abakuá (“3-Abakuá Ceremonial Music | Médiathèque Caraïbe (Laméca)” n.d.).
Tumba Francesca
The Tumba Francesa has origins in Haiti and came to Cuba with the slave trade. In includes the use of drums known as tumbas which are often decorated by painting and carving. The dancers, who are primarily women, wear long “colonial-era” dresses and bright, colorful scarves (“La Tumba Francesa - Intangible Heritage - Culture Sector - UNESCO” n.d.). In this performance by the Conjunto Folklorico we can see these traditions incorporated in the dance. There are also many differences in this dance style as compared to those of the Orishas or the Abakuá. There is use of formations in the choreography, and much less movement of the body. The movement is located in the feet in this dance and movement around the stage (“Tumba Francesa - YouTube” 2021).