Just back from a great performance of Sidi Goma -- The Black Sidis of Gujarat, at the Somerville Theatre. From the program notes we learn that this is a tribal Sufi community of East African origin which went to India eight centuries ago and made Gujurat their home. "They carried with them their exceptionally rich musical tradition and kept it alive and flourishing through the generations, unknown to the rest of the world. Their native African music styles, melodic and rhythmic structures, lyrics and musical instruments have mingled with local influences to form this unique symbolic representation of African-Indian identity."The program had two sections, the first being an overview of ritual calls to prayer. The second half was a staged ritual performance of a damal. "While the music gets more rapid and excited, the dances unfold with constantly evolving solo and group acts of satirical imitations of animals and other creature, culminating in a coconut-breaking feat." You can see that excerpt below (and a longer one on my Facebook page.)
The performance was offered by World Music/CRASHart, whose Executive Director is Maure Aronson, seen here with his son Jesse.
