Purdue's Black Cultural Center's festival spotlights Gullah culture

The Black Voices of Inspiration, Haraka Writers, Jahari Dance Troupe and New Directional Players will use their experiences to perform their annual Cultural Arts Festival in an original show at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Loeb Playhouse in Stewart Center. Admission is $7 for the general public and $5 for students.

"It has been exciting exploring the Gullah culture," said Bill Caise, assistant director of the Black Cultural Center. "The heritage and traditions that we had thought were long gone were merely sitting dormant waiting to be recalled. Hearing stories, singing songs and talking with folk reminded us of the deep history and culture that Africans have shared with America. The work seen during the Cultural Arts Festival will be the final product of our semester focused on the Gullah."

The center's four artists-in-residence, Twana Harris, McKenya Dilworth, Kevin Iega Jeff and Kahari Bowden, lead the arts ensembles.

The Black Voices of Inspiration will perform traditional spirituals from the Gullah culture, as well as new works developed since the ensembles returned from the Gullah tour. The new pieces will include "Being Gullah" and "De Basket," as well as "meke" and "omo de," which will be performed in the Mende language.

"The New Directional Players will serve as 'griots' or storytellers, telling the story of the Gullah/Geechee people," said McKenya Dilworth, artist-in-residence for the student theatrical company. "They will morph into various characters throughout history in order to serve as guides. We will see the players in the roles of slave traders to rice harvesters and family members as they go about the business of telling the Gullah story."

The Jahari Dance Troupe will perform dances based on their experiences with the Gullah  culture, some of which include "Me Dun Dun" and the "Harvest Dance," as well as new pieces "I Put a Spell on You" (set to the music of Nina Simone) and the "Lords Prayer," both of which will debut during the festival. 

The Haraka Writers will present work based on a theme of cultural loss and a desire to search for completeness from the point of view of the Gullah culture. 

"People should come to see 'One Step Closer' to see new material," Caise said. "Why would you deny yourself this opportunity? These are stories that aren't being told, rich stories, funny stories, important stories, and I encourage everyone to come out and learn about this incredible culture called Gullah."

Established in 1969, Purdue's Black Cultural Center exists to enhance cultural programming and broaden the community's understanding of the black experience. Annually, the center sponsors lectures, performances and events with the goal of improving campus diversity and supporting students' knowledge about their culture and heritage.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-24327, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Bill Caise, (765) 494-4630, wpcaise@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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