Dances of the Orishas: Ellegua
Julius Caesar Serrano's incredible piece. See more at: http://alexei-serrano.idoneos.com/
With the upcoming Orisha dance workshop and the overall rapid increase of Afro-Cuban dance events in the Triangle, we thought it might be a good time to start talking about these dances, and since all ceremonies begin and end with Ellegua, we’ll start there.
Who is Ellegua?
Ellegua or Eshu, Exu, Elegba is syncretized with St. Anthony of the Catholic faith and is is a trickster deity who is believed to open or close the way for us in life.
Paths of Ellegua
Ellegua is said to have 256 paths or aspects of personality. Some may be tricky and childlike but others are said to be dangerous if annoyed or toyed around with.
Dances of Ellegua
Ellegua carries around a Garabato -hooked end stick- which he uses to clear paths. This is why when we dance Ellegua, many of our arm movements are used to simulate clearing or opening pathways.
Like Ellegua, some of the movements are playful and silly, while some movements are warrior-like and very aggressive. The characterization of the dance depends not only on the rhythm being played, but on the dancer’s connection with the movement as well.
In my opinion, Orisha dance adheres to a more rigid aesthetic than other Afro-Cuban dances such as Casino or Rumba. But even within this rigidity there is room for interpretation and expression.
Here is clip from AfroCuba de Mantanzas, one of the greastest performing groups of Cuba, performing Ellegua. The first rhythm you hear is La Topa, followed by Ynongo, and concluding with Chachaluakafun.
While you are at it, check out some of their other performances, they are quite sick!
