“IYAguration” aims to immerse its audience in the African culture it was inspired by.
Choreographed by graduate student Kara Jenelle Wade, the dance film celebrates the resilience of Black women throughout the African diaspora. The film will premiere virtually Friday through the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance. Drawing on Wade’s own identity and heritage, the choreography pulls from styles from across the African continent. Wade said she hopes audiences get a glimpse of the history and culture of Black women, and for Black women themselves to feel a sense of pride in being represented through dance.
“My inspiration came from my connection with my identity, my heritage and my roots as a Black woman in America,”Wade said.
From the piece’s name to the costume choices, Wade said every aspect of the film reflects her desire to express a culture authentic to the experience of Black women. The name “IYAguration” is a combination of the Yoruba word “Iya,” meaning “great mother,” and “inauguration,” which celebrates Kamala Harris being elected as the first woman of color to be vice president.
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