Shaking Dance Session
with Esther T. Siverio
Tchai is the word used by Ju/'hoansi to describe getting together to dance and sing; n/um can be translated as medicine, or supernatural potency. In the 1950's, when this film was shot, Ju/'hoansi gathered for "medicine dances" often, usually at night, and sometimes such dances lasted until dawn. In this film, women sit on the ground, clapping and singing and occasionally dancing a round or two, while men circle around them, singing and stamping rhythms with their feet.
The songs are wordless but named: "rain," "sun," "honey," "giraffe," and other "strong things." The strength of the songs is their n/um, or medicine, thought to be a gift from the great god. N/um is also in the fire, and even more so in the "owners of medicine," or healers. Most Ju/'hoan men would practice as healers at some point in their lives, and in this film we see several men in various stages of trance. A light trance gradually deepens, as the medicine grows "hot," and eventually some men will shriek and run about, falling on hot coals, entering the state Ju/'hoansi call "half-death."
The film opens with a brief introduction to the role of n/um tchai in healing and in warding off evil, followed by scenes from one all-night dance. The dance begins with a social gathering and becomes increasingly intense as the night wears on, finally concluding at dawn.
The African-origin shaking dance involves bodily shudders intended to move the energy of the sacrum and produce the "Nim," the creative energy.
Belonging to the Bushmen, the tribe from the Kalahari, we will employ this technique with contemporary music and Afro-beat to delight the body and activate it with the Earth's internal energy.
When the body is rooted with the Earth, energy is unlocked. This will assist you in awakening creativity and developing your work with more inspiration.
It also helps in interacting more freely and with less fear with others.
Channeled sensuality will be part of this shaking dance.
PROGRAM
19:30: Arrival time for preparations, instructions and introduction.
20:00: Start. Duration approximately: 1 hour.
What to bring to dance?
Please bring:
Women: Mini skirt or shorts for dancing. Blouse, your necklaces, your bracelets, your earrings, loose hair.
Men: Sarong for dancing and a white shirt.
Important Notes:
Bring a change of clothes as you will sweat a lot.
Please shower before attending to avoid strong perspiration.
Do not use perfume.
At the end of the dance, there will be a non-alcoholic cocktail included to refresh the body.
Location: Finca Sol y Luna. Calle Cordobés, 18. Puerto de la Cruz. Tenerife.
Guided by: Esther T. Siverio. Spiritual Coach. Ceremonial Guide.
Reservation by phone: (34) 620 542 073. Limited spaces.
Deadline for reservations: 2 January
Tickets to book , click on the bottom:
