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How do African dance styles use the torso and pelvis?
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Peasant Dance, oil on wood by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, c. 1568; in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
In African dance, the body is often treated as "polycentric," meaning it is divided into several independent centers of movement rather than functioning as a single, unified block. The torso and pelvis are vital components of this polycentric approach, serving as key areas for articulating complex rhythmic patterns.12
Specific uses of these body parts include:
- Torso Articulation: Dancers may express rhythmic patterns through deliberate contractions of the torso. Depending on the cultural style, the torso may be held in an upright, authoritative posture, inclined forward from the hips, or held nearly parallel to the earth—a position often used by riverine peoples to maintain balance.234
- Pelvic and Hip Movement: Rhythmic expression is frequently externalized through strong movements of the pelvis and buttocks, such as rapid vibrations or twists.2
These movements are not merely aesthetic; they are essential for interpreting the percussive pulses of the music. By isolating and moving these centers independently, dancers engage in a sophisticated rhythmic dialogue with the musicians, externalizing the music's structure through their physical form.21