African Dance- SAMAWA

[Odori73]

@ Anyone making assumptions thinking these people got influences from our breaking, or stupid dance movies based off trends that die in a blink of an eye! These people and others all over Africa were doing what we call Bboying, not breakdancing centuries before it came to our ghettos or we renamed it and gave other cultures credit! Passed down through generations of the struggle! Know your history, dance history included!!!

[PrinceConfessor]

I love the dancing I really do but wish the music and sounds that the children were dancing too was used instead of the background that was being played. Can't really feel movement with the music thats playing.

[paloco70]

WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE TO SEE HOW WOULD THEY DEAL OR REACT WITH A GROUP OF AMERICANS AND BATTLE AND THAT WAY THEY WILL SEE ALSO HOW WE BREAK DANCE... IT WILL BE SUPER COOL....

[eliwild]

@paloco70 well.. actually, they have seen 'our' breakdancing.. WildiZe provides a lot of films on various dance.. RIZE was one, Stomp the Yard another.. they love it... as for a battle.. that would indeed be a very fun thing to do.. and to bring those kids here, or our teams here, takes funding! got any ideas? thanks for watching!

[amerisier]

real talent

[deliciousej]

They all were so good!

[SuperJadeDragon]

Being in america we miss out on this type of culture. My ancestor's culture. Man :-(

[jamaicadondonnet1]

I totally agree with you and I said the same thing when i saw this video...

[PrismaticRAYS]

Those kids are awesome. Someone should bring a group of them to the states and have them perform on a talent show. Let them spread the joy around a bit.

[eliwild]

Thanks!!! We're working on it.... it takes $! if every viewer sent us one dollar, think of what we could do with these kids and this program!!! pass it on!

[bestjonbon]

Very nice!

[eliwild]

Hello John! checked out your profile.. very interesting!! What books? I am an avid reader, and always looking for books! Great channel you have, lots of interesting things going on in your lives!

Happy holidays

Eli

[simipiano]

Bellissimo, che il Signore possa benedire questa popolazione afflitta dalla povertà, e che pèossa tornare a sorridere con la magia della danza e dell'arte.

[eliwild]

Grazie per il vostro commento! Stiamo facendo il nostro meglio per contribuire a fare le cose per il migliore per tutti i bambini! E una stagione di festa molto felice a voi!

[jklolabc123]

i love the african music and they the afircan amercains inspire me becasue they came so far in how they are welcomed by the world and they arent regected i just love them

[Kosovare4eva]

God bless them!-Kosova

[eliwild]

Hello Kosovo!!! Thanks for watching!

[mumbuaa]

Wow, i was so happy to watch the children dance, so wonderful, they made my day, may God bless them for the good job. Keep it up, asante sana, safi kabisa.

[eliwild]

asante sana, rafiki mumbuaa!! what part of kenya are you from ? watched several of your favorites.. Poa kabisa!!!

[sertacdemirkol]

Congratulations from Turkey !!!

[eliwild]

Thank you! wonderful seeing so many comments from around the world!

[kidricb]

1 islond

[loladien]

ik krijg elke keer kippevel als ik hier naar kijk....love it

[kidricb]

1 islond

[SERGITOBA]

Muito bom, Good, Abraços em todos, Sergito SALVADOR BAHIA BRAZIL

[eliwild]

muchos gracias!!!!

[waxet4saxet]

I've watched both films (with African and Western music) and found both extremely enjoyable. Good work! Strictly A+

[eliwild]

Well well.. finally!!!  somebody sees the value in both! very refreshing--- Thank you

[anjalikabaier]

what does the music have to do with african dance and culture?????????????? Be brave and drop the western pop music

[eliwild]

perhaps if you read a few other comments and learned more about this video, you would see that we have the Original music version here also... and both these 'western' songs are about Africa... that's what's up!

thanks!!!

[anjalikabaier]

I did read some of the other comments but cannot find the original version. Even though I still don't see the point of having a video with children dancing to obviously fantastic live music and then replace the sound with recorded pop music no matter what the content of the songs is, sorry. I really love original African music and like to hear it promoted.

[eliwild]

I just sent you the version with the original music.. if you cannot access it, please check under 'more from eliwild' it is there! the clip w/ the western music was made for fundraising for the project, Samawa helped to choose the music to connect w/ westerners who may not be as aware of the of African music.. so, we had to make a choice. After many many comments from viewers like you, I edited a clip w/ the original music.. enjoy!!!

[sambagrl]

I think that most if not all westerners are familiar with afrian music by now...

[eliwild]

I'd almost agree with you!!!

[chiaki13]

Na wana dance vizuri ata mimi nataka ku dance na kucheza pia T-T lakina i wish i was able to help but i'm still a child my self. T^T

[eliwild]

Sikuu ndio hijesha!

Asante Sana

[chiaki13]

ur welcome. to tell u the truth this is the first time na meet mutu mwenye na eza kuongea kiswahilli with! ^^ ne eza kuwa refiki yako? If i spelled wrogh sorry! I letf kenya when I was 8 years old T^T I'm know 13. ^^'

[prasinhim08]

very nice! that is real dancing.

[eliwild]

be sure to check out our other two videos, the one with the original music of samawa dancers and the short about wildize!

thanks!

[eliwild]

Thanks epmelser and katiedavidson for positive commentary!

[epmelser]

Amazing! I love African dance i dont wanna judge the background music but i think "Obvious Child" of Paul Simon its a incredible music. Keep doing this beautiful program strong!(SAMAWA). I know for a fact the only matter in the end of the day is that every single children is going to have love, appretiation, respect, food in their plates and a place to sleep. Lets try to look the good side and learn with the bad one..piece to all***

[katiedavidson]

whos keeps bitching? this is great...those children are amazing and look so happy...they show us all how life is for living no matter how little you have be happy and dance!!

[gyzounette]

pourquoi il ont mis une autre musique que la leurs?c'est un manque de respect je trouve!

en tout cas je vous souhaite bon courage!

et j'espere qu'un jour il trouverons un vaccin pour cette maladie

[eliwild]

so, please tell me.. what is the corruptible value in Westerners dancing to African music, or the current fad in African videos so 'imitating' the western gangsta/ rap/ stomp and typical Western style of video and clothing? Isn't this just as good or bad in cultural crossover style as usin western music that highlights Africa to African children dancing?

[adunbarin4]

You don't get it. These kids appear to be dancing to their own music and if u choose to report it, u ought to present what u saw and recorded, not try to bastardize it with rhythm that don't match the dance steps. Authenticity has its place even "in the Global Village." Don't u get it?

[eliwild]

yes, I get it, and thank you for your comments, however I do not feel 'bastardized' is appropriate. I will be uploading a clip of the kids dancing to their own drumming soon. As to presenting what I see, and what the children also want presented, this clip was a colaborative effort as one of my foundation's projects.. they helped to choose the final version.

[funsho34]

Basterdaized is appropriate here. One of its meaning is to "lower in condition or worth" That is exactly what u did by superimposing your music on their dance music such that their dance steps does not match the tempo of your music. But lets hope that when "they helped to choose the final version." they are not unduly influenced by their "handlers" to choose western music over their own music. Good luck to u.

[eliwild]

I do not think you understand the the meaning of 'collaboration', which is what this project is.. and perhaps you could take the time to learn more about the project and the people before you presume your definition of devaluation.

I do however, appreciate a good conversation and critique. thank you.

[adunbarin4]

What horrible corruption of African life and dance with this wacky music. It is offensive.

[eliwild]

too bad your sensibilities are so narrow, because Africans and the children in this clip Love western music, love their own music, and love to create and learn about the entire world outside of their village, as in... the Global Village? These children very much enjoyed the fact that Paul Simon and U2 support their program. There is no intention of corruption of African life nor Western life, there is a matter of experiencing the diversity life has to offer.

[eliwild]

coming soon.. for all of you who want to hear the original drumming to the SAMAWA dancers... original clips w/ original drumming/ music!!

[Crow5853]

Just a little additional note: It seems pretentious to put western music over this video. African music would express so much better the spirit of this dance. It seems a little arrogant of to present it this way.

[eliwild]

thank you for your comment, however we do not feel it pretenious at all, nor do the children!!! However, in light of the many comments received regarding the desire to hear the original drumming, I will be posting a short clip with SAMAWA dancers and music unedited! Thanks for your comments!

[Crow5853]

I like Bono, and Simon but,it's promoting of the western artists involved, rather than expressive of the real beauty, and wonder of this culture. The children may not feel this way. They're grateful for the support.

Not to belabor the point but, there are many african musicians who could express this crossover. After all, not all of the western audiences are uniformed, and unsympathetic. I get your point though.

[eliwild]

you're correct!!! and again I appreciate your commentary! in light of the many responses to our SAMAWA clip, I am in the process puttin up an riginal clip including their music-unedited, so all can hear the original drumming the children are dancing to. I just have to say, many westerners do not relate to the 'story' we are trying to tell in support of the SAMAWA program. I have however, very much in support of using african artists whenever possible!! thanks again!

[Crow5853]

Would have been more appealing to me with traditional music.

[LaDii973DimMa]

i L.o.V.e iT

[webbersinsudan]

I really enjoyed the video of the dancing and acrobatics that the children are performing but I would also agree with Mellow7 that the western music over the top of the performances seemed stylistically disjointed. I would have loved to have heard the drummers and music created for the specific dance. I hope the children will come to understand the beauty of their own music and how special that is to outsiders.

Thanks for sharing and hopefully you will take this as constructive criticism.

Mark

[eliwild]

Hello Mark, thanks for the excellent critique! The children already do and have appreciationn for their music. THEY love these 'western' songs to go with the film, as it also provides for them and for us the cultural crossover that is so much needed for the western world to understand that this they and their dance are not cultural artifacts but very much functioning in our present and modern world.

Thank you!!

cheers

Eli & SAMAWA

[Nayne9]

SIMPLY B E A U T I F U L

[eliwild]

WildiZe would be happy to send you a recording of the music.. it is 3 drums and rapping on a piece of tin to keep beat... we used this music to create a story and continuous background, and at the request of the students students

[nrg22]

From African Egypt -- You kids are Amazing!! Thank you for the inspiration.

[eliwild]

wow!!! Egypt!!! How incredible is that? From Aspen, CO to Dar es Salaam, TZ to Egypt, Brazil, and Austraila and UK... dancing and bringing smiles and inspiration over the globe.. thanks for watching!

[bajan75]

The children are so beautiful...so full of energy and life. May God continue to bless the work that you all are doing with these children. This has definitely put a smile on my face. What a great start to my work day!

[eliwild]

pass it on!!! the SAMAWA kids are keeping up w/ the notes posted on this site... they'll be thrilled to see how many viewers we have... the more, the better! keep on smiling and dancing.....

[bow2jade]

THIS is dancing..not some nasty NEW (not old)jamaican dancing that they claimed stemed from THIS beautiful thing!!

[eliwild]

to bow2jade.... you're absolutely right.. THIS is the real thing.. for yesterday, today and tomorrow.....

[mrflavio]

Hey...thats amazing!!!! I mean how incredible these kids are!!!!! My big dream is know Africa one day, because i think there is a school where everyone have many thinks to learn about that incredible and energic kinda culture.

COOL!!! :)

ps.: what are the names of the songs from this video????

[eliwild]

Thanks for watching and enjoying... there are many schools that teach and are looking for volunteers to help w/ workshops in life /arts. the songs are U2:Street With No Name and Paul Simon: Obvious Child

[mex1111]

That's beautiful!!! Dang! So much energy! :D

[eliwild]

thanks for watching, and appreicating!! dance along w/them for 5 mintutes when the mood catches you and you'll be energized too! and.. you're day will fill with a smile.

[fatbootyqueen]

5.22 - 5.30 sec CUTE

[eliwild]

thank you... I've watched her grow up for 4 years.... she has always stolen te show and loves to dance!

[fatbootyqueen]

woahh thats whazup

[Crystalsiab]

im nigerian so u go africa!!!!!

[eliwild]

yeah!!! nigeria!!! thanks

[smokydimples]

the kids.....the kids,,,bring tears to my eyes...oh am originally from kenya,,,,,so i connect...lol

[eliwild]

so glad to hear you enjoyed and that you KNOW what this means to the childrend there!!!!!

[teamTakila]

that made me so happy i cried

[eliwild]

thanks for watching! I am currently in Uganda, spreading the SAMAWA word even further.. keep passing it on.. we need all the help we can get!

cheers from Africa!

[mellow7me]

THE MUSIC REALLY STOLEN THE MOMENT!

[eliwild]

I hope you meant that in a good way!

[mellow7me]

well the song is great but the kids has something to say as well the dance itself is a song they're stomping making they're own music you kno that

[eliwild]

yep.. the kids do tell their own story, and do have their own music. However, for this short clip, we needed continuity for the music to tell the story, and the kids chose these songs as the ones they wanted.. we aim to please!

[eliwild]

BTW-- you might enjoy knowing that we have sent stomping and krumping dance DVD's and the film RIZE to SAMAWA .. they are Lovin' it!!!! seeing just how much they and we have in common from traditional to modern

[HillEvans]

This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing it.

[eliwild]

pass the site on!!!! the more viewers, the better opportunities for the children and teachers of SAMAWA to move forward!

Thank you

[mui25]

this is good 4 africa.beautiful children i wish someone could organise this in nigeria too.good job.

[eliwild]

thank you..... if you know of funding or want to help, we can help make it happen and organize!

[Tammy393]

this is sooo good

[eliwild]

glad you enjoyed... pass the word... SAMAWA is a worthwhile program that needs support.

[Seereene1]

Adorable children, great dancing and incredible tumbling. But what's with the U2 and Paul Simon music. It seemed really out of place.

[eliwild]

both the U2 and Paul Simon songs are about Africa and in regard to african issues.... we are trying to show that african dance is not a cultural artifact and that it is just as much a part of our modern western life and world, as is it about tradtional african lifestyles.. a cultural crossover. BTW.. the children seen in the film absoutely loved the fact that their dance applies to both U2 and Paul Simon.