The Griot Institute kicked off the school year this weekend with our annual opening celebration. The event had an exciting lineup, including a poetry reading by Bucknell student Omuhle Ndhlovu called “Love at First Sight” and the esteemed African dance and drumming group Soul in Motion.
In the West African and African American traditions, drumming, dancing, and masquerades are modes of expression utilized at community events and celebrations. With this in mind, Soul in Motion was the perfect featured performance to educate and connect our community to this rich cultural tradition. The group’s ensemble boasts eleven dancers and drummers led by company and group Director Michael Friend and Assistant Director Pam Lassiter Rhone.
Nearly every seat was empty when their performance began, but not for lack of attendance. The music, movements, and colorful visuals of Soul in Motion had everyone up and dancing along with them. Gradually, participating crowd members hopped in and out of the performance, replacing the empty spaces when people went to fill up and cool down with pizza and Pelicans Snowballs.
Fellow Griot Student Intern Ninah Jackson marked the event’s success, stating that “the opening was a phenomenal way to kick off the start of the academic year, and I was really excited to see so many students, faculty and staff, and community members join us.”
This year, the Griot Institute’s theme is JOY: Centering and Embracing the Fullness of Black Humanity. The events planned for this year focus on representing this theme. Jackson looks forward to the Griot’s approaching events, saying, “I can’t wait for the campus community to see what else we have in store for the school year.” These include weekly free West African Drumming lessons, two book club meetings, Bucknell in the Caribbean, and many more. You can stay up-to-date on all our events and projects by frequently visiting this website or referring to our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook @bucknellgriotinstitute.
