The Dinizulu Tradition & Legacy

The wealth of cultural components of traditional Africa were stagnated and virtually crushed during the lucrative and dehumanizing era of slavery.  Yet, with indomitable spirit and purpose, African families, here and in the motherland, struggled valiantly to preserve for their children, however tenuous, a link to the traditions of their heritage. Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu was one of the few who persisted, ceaselessly, against all odds, to preserve, promote and perpetuate the ancestral history of his African heritage.

From his youth, when he established an African Culture Group, Dinizulu, systematically, brick by brick, laid the foundation of his cultural heritage in the United States, not only through teaching it but by fully embracing and living it as well.  Subsequent to that he established an African Cultural Center, taught in colleges and universities, and for those desiring to learn about and worship the gods and ancestors of West Africa, established a religious temple in the United States.

In the 1960’s, Dinizulu was welcomed into the traditional society in Ghana.  He was initiated into the sacred life of the Akonnedi shrine by the powerful chief-priestess, the late Nana Oparebea. Sponsored by Nana Dinizulu, she  was the first African priest to willingly cross the waters from Africa to America.   This journey was made by her to assist Dinizulu in the establishment of the Akan religion in this country.  During a trip to Ghana in 1971, accompanied by 250 people to study the sacred life of the temples and shrines, Nana Dinizulu was enstooled as a chief.

The Dinizulu Dance Company was officially established in the early 1950’s by Nana and Alice Dinizulu. Alice Dinizulu, its present director was a former student and performer with Joseph Comadore, Ismay Andrews, and Asadata Dafora among others.  It was from this background and later through research, study and collaboration with artists in and from Africa, that  the present repertoire of the Dinizulu African Dancers, Drummers and Singers was developed.

The repertoire at present, includes exciting dancers from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, along with a pageant of other brilliant and electrifying choreographic spectacles.

The Dinizulu Dance Company has made appearances on major television programs and concert stages.  For two years, 1964 and 1965, they thrilled audiences at the N.Y. World’s Fair African Pavilion.  They have performed in leading schools, theatres and universities throughout the United States, and of various locals in Africa and the Caribbean.

Millions of young school children, of diverse backgrounds, have received their first introduction to traditional African culture from the company, through showcase presentations, lecture demonstrations, and with narration enhanced concerts.  The group has often been called upon to perform for visiting dignitaries, and have performed for such heads of states, as Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, The late Sekou Toure of Guinea, the late Tom Mboya of Kenya, Dr. Hastings Banda of Malawa and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

Throughout the years, as the Company has traveled North, South, East and West, there has been a dramatic and astonishing African renaissance among Americans of African descent.  The Dinizulu Dancers, Drummers and Singers, in large measure, has given wings to and, been a major force in this renaissance.

The Dinizulu Dancers, Drummers and Singers presents an exciting program of African dances, songs, music and narrative that is educational, interesting and entertaining to viewers of all ages.  In addition to full concerts and school programs, members are available for master classes and lecture demonstrations for public schools, secondary schools, universities, etc.

   
1. The Late Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu with his son Nana Kimati Dinizulu (left), Chuck Davis (right) and the late
John Blanford (far right). 2. Early Photo of Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu  3. Egungun dancer, Dinizulu Dance Company.
4. Some members of the dance company. 5. Two Egungun dancers from the Dinizulu Dance Company.

The Dinizulu Center of African Culture & Research
115-62 Sutphin Boulevard Jamaica, New York 11434
(718) 528-6279 / (718) 843-6213 
 Email:  dancecompany@dinizulu.org