Jeffrey L. Page, a noted choreographer and lecturer at Harvard, emphasizes the power of dance as a means of expression and communication. He discusses how dance serves to make one's narrative visible, contrasting the notion of invisibility in society. Relating to cultural practices, he cites Mali's djine foly, where dancers reach a trance-like state, unlocking creativity and happiness. Page encourages individuals to embrace their dancing bodies without concern for appearances, highlighting the cathartic experience of finding one's unique expression through movement.
Dance is all about being seen. How can the narrative that I’m putting into space, with my body, be read like a book?
Going from a non-dancing body to a dancing body feels cathartic. It’s as if I'm accessing a reservoir of information that has been locked away.
Djine foly means the dancing space of the djinn. Dancers dance into a trance and achieve happiness, experiencing an explosion of feeling.
Ain't nobody concerned if you look good; we all want to be seen through our bodies.
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