DANCE REVIEW

By Lucia Mauro, Chicago Tribune, Dec. 8, 2006

The multifaceted tapestry of African cultures spread across Latin America is evoked in the Spanish-language title, "Simplemente Muntu" ("Simply Muntu"), of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago's 30th anniversary concert series, running through Sunday at the DuSable Museum of African American History.

Dedicated to original works and impeccable recreations of traditional dances from the African continent, the company continues to explore African influences throughout the world. Here, Latin countries are the performances' complex running thread.

Muntu recently participated in a cultural exchange in Brazil-- the inspiration for a combined dance-drum give-and-take called "Conversation." With subtly dynamic drum master Babu Atiba at the helm, the work unfolds in distinct yet harmonic patterns.

The dance further unifies the piece through an early martial arts form, capoeira, originally practiced in Angola, Nigeria and Mozambique. Brought by African slaves to Brazil, it evolved into a quick, agile and acrobatic style.

During the show, Atiba talked about the sacred qualities of drums, describing their sound as a form of prayer. The two-sided drums from Nigeria symbolize male and female energy working together. These elements are the essence of Muntu, a group that constantly seeks out spiritually charged facets of cultures from around the globe.

Artistic director Amaniyea Payne carries the African-Latin theme to an operatic level with "Yanga," a full-length dance-drama commissioned by Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art. It tells the story of Gaspar Yanga, captured by the Spaniards in West Africa and enslaved in Mexico. He led a long and arduous revolt against the Spanish militia, eventually founding the first town of freed slaves in the Americas in 1609.

At the work's outset, Payne sketches vignettes of West African village life: women carrying water and harvesting crops; others braiding hair and taking part in celebratory dances.

Once invaded, however, the villagers scatter and the movement becomes crouched and inward until coming full circle to a triumphal exuberance. By the end, the music and dance commingle the fierce footwork and rounded arms of Spanish dance with a distinctly African rhythmic syncopation.

Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago performs through Sunday at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place. Tickets: $25. Call 773-602-1135.

Reprinted courtesy of Lucia Mauro. Used with permission.