I Hear the Drums Echoing Tonight: Performance Day...and Baby Powder

August 13, 2011

Today was our last day at Dagbe. We woke up in normal routine, ate breakfast, then went to a ceremony. At the ceremony our group presented some educational and soccer supplies which Kristen and Shellie brought.

After lunch we had a quick walk-through of our pieces for the performance. Finally, at around 3:00pm we went to the gazebo to get dressed for the performance. We were wrapped in traditional cloth creating skirts for the girls and pants for the boys.

We went into the Kopeyia Market square where we danced on a dirt stage that had been prepared and swept for us. That performance was probably the most exhausting thing I have ever experienced in my life.

Our group performed a total of 7 pieces, most people only doing about 3. Tara and I performed in 6. It was insane. We both did Gahu dance, Gahu drumming, Agbekor drumming, Agbekor dance, and Tokei (I danced, she drummed). Then on top of that she had her solo dance, and I had mine. Tara danced a very fast version with new variations of Agbekor with George. I danced Kpanlogo with Odartey.

Needless to say, I was very tired afterwards and I am sure Tara was as well. We both rocked it out though!

After we performed some of the staff members performed other pieces, it is always a blast to watch them! We all went back to Dagbe to have a feast.

Earlier that morning, a goat that our group purchased was “prepared for feast,” in other words, it became dinner. There was also chicken. The more exciting part of the feast was that all of the villagers came to eat with us along with the staff. It was nice to see everyone getting a good meal.

There were four of us who had a birthday while on the trip, and Jeremy arranged for us to have a celebration during the feast. I was called up to the table with Kerrie, Ann Marie, and Shellie where we cut a cake that was banana and chocolate chips. Cake in Ghana is more bread like, but still good. Afterwards we all danced together with reggae music and Ghanaian high life music blasting. Little did we know that the birthday part was not over. Later on, the four of us were told to sit on a bench where we were blindfolded and covered in baby powder. That was probably the best any of us smelled the entire two weeks.

A group of us danced for hours doing the Macarena, the Electric Slide, Cotton Eyed Joe, Cupid Shuffle, and a few others that we taught to children and our teachers. Jo and I actually ended up waltzing for a little while which was pretty funny. Waltzing in Africa….good idea?.......great idea?......brilliant idea? I think so.