AFIA 2021

An encounter with fast feet, impulses and viability 

With massive energy, fast feet and raw strength, the dance style Pantsula has developed into a political and social expression for the black population in South African townships. The dance style becomes alive in YEBO YES! and continues to carry its historical energy out along the Swedish roads.

The year was 1950 and South Africa was impregnated by a policy of racial segregation, a political situation which threatened fundamental human rights. A huge dissatisfaction grew as a response to the apartheid government’s deportations – this is when the Pantsula dance style was born. A choreographic language creating a new unified identity, expressing criticism and spreading awareness.

The oppressed population could express their opposition to the regime through dance. With rapid steps across the ground and intricate, rhythmic footwork the dancers demonstrated to the superiority that they were both strong and free. They proved that they had their own style and were ready to stand up for their struggle. Pantsula quickly became not only a dance style but a language and a lifestyle.

In the performance YEBO YES! we meet five dancers, Sibusiso, David and Gugu from South Africa, who all live and breathe Pantsula, and Swedish Theresa and Joanna, choreographers and founders of Afia. Together they show proof of a dance full of energy, joy and power. The production’s electronic music together with the dancers’ voices and rhythmical sounds fills the room with a progressive feeling. The performance is a meeting between freestyle-and the Pantsula culture – a work where the dancers explore the meeting between each other and their cultural expression.

Pantsula retells a story that should never fall into oblivion. The inner powers of the style are brought to life in the meeting with street and freestyle which are the Company’s foundation. Community and playfulness are created in a performance that lingers with you long after the applause have ended.

Afia

Afia is a non-profit association that aims to broaden the range of cultural expressions in Sweden through self-produced cultural events and performing arts, mainly focusing on African cultural dances and street dance from the African diaspora. Through culture, Afia wants to spread joy, community, inspiration, knowledge and history and open up more opportunities for collaboration between artists. The organization is managed by Joanna Chrona and Theresa Gustavsson. Together they create a powerful duo who have been active within the street-dance scene for the past 10 years. They have both battled and created events and stage performances. With the common interest in dance and culture, they have travelled together to Senegal, Gabon and South Africa. During the past four years they have arranged the festival “Afia Presenst Pantsula” with invited guests from South Africa. YEBO YES! is the organizations’ first own produced performance.