"Waka Waka"

The dance routine Charles Ahovissi is teaching to North Elementary fourth grade students will be performed to the song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" by singer-songwriter Shakira featuring South African band Freshlyground.

Originally hailing from Benin, West Africa, Ahovissi toured the world as a member of Ballet National of Benin. Currently residing in Omaha, Neb. with his family, Ahovissi said he found a way to share his passion with others by teaching African culture through dance and drumming.

Ahovissi isn't a stranger to the Sidney area. As an approved teaching and performing artist through both the Nebraska and Iowa Arts Council, Ahovissi said that he has been working with students in Sidney for about 7 or 8 years.

Ahovissi said he enjoys giving the students alternative ways to gain knowledge through hands-on experience.

In a rehearsal for Fridays performance, teacher Elizabeth Hamling's fourth grade class learned not only the steps to the routine, but also the reasoning behind the dance.

"We learn the rhythm of 'Sofa' and the dance of 'Sofa,' but what does the word mean?" Ahovissi asked the class. "It means, simply, to hunt."

Ahovissi explained to the class that "Sofa" is a story. After good hunting, they would gather together to celebrate with drums and dancing.

"In Africa, we dance to tell a story," Ahovissi said. "We dance to communicate, hunting, fishing, weddings, birthdays, holidays. Every aspect of life in Africa has a rhythm, has a dance."

Hamling said that having Ahovissi in her class has been a great experience for the students, providing them an opportunity to learn about African culture and break some stereotypes of what they may have thought before.

"The drumming and dancing is not something they normally get to do," Hamling said. "They get to experience a culture they are not used to."

Ahovissi uses ceremonial African clothes as well as traditional instruments to teach African history, music, art and dance to students.

The students have two routines they are learning, one with dance and one with drums. Breaking down the steps to the dance routine in ways the students can understand, Ahovissi uses examples such as "swimming" and "picking fruit" to help them remember the steps.

"If you remember, you honor the dance," Ahovissi said.

Hamling said they have had two days, two hours per day, to learn the drumming, and two days, two hours per day, for the dance rehearsal.

Ahovissi told the class that they should be very proud of themselves, as the dance is usually performed by adults.

"I learned about the way that dance tells a story, and no matter how much you mess up you try again, and then you will get it right." said Lily Tafolla, a fourth grade student in Hamling's class.

The students showcased what they have learned form Ahovissi in a performance Friday, May, 6, in the Sidney High School Performing Arts Center.