TRJE Rehearsal

I headed back over to observe TRJE last night. This time I arrived fairly early and there were only a few young people there. They had started to form a circle and were preparing for the libation ritual. This is where one person is chosen to slowly pour water onto a live plant while the others in the surrounding circle call out the names of people who have “passed on”. One of them asked, “Does the oldest person here give permission to perform the libation?” I obviously was the oldest person present and consented. In this group of young people, age is viewed as an asset and the resulting wisdom is respected. That attitude is hard to find in this country. In my classroom, I really notice the respect for elders that is present in all the cultures of my students. It makes me sad that in my own country we tend to cast aside the elderly population and view them as less intelligent. Another value that was stressed during the libation ritual was unity with those who had come before. This also is important for young people because it helps them to be accountable for their actions, knowing that what they do reflects on their own families as well as the greater family of man.
After libations, other people started arriving and the lead-in question was presented. The question was: “What is your favorite class at school and why?” As the question was passed around, the newcomers filed in and seamlessly became a part of the circle. This time I was familiar with the protocol and tapped the person beside me so they were free to speak. I was surprised to hear the answers that were given, since math was by far the most common. The reason was also a surprise; “It’s challenging for me.” Most kids want to take the easy route; these kids were up for a challenge. Another thing I noticed that was different about them was their lack of fidgeting. I’ve worked with groups of young people that size and it can be next to impossible to get them to sit quietly and be respectful while others speak. Even when Ketu had to leave the room for a minute, these kids didn’t take advantage of his absence. The younger ones knew they’d be called out by the older ones if they misbehaved and the older ones seemed to embrace their responsibility within the group.
After a discussion of the rehearsal notes, the circle was broken so they could rehearse for the upcoming Back from Africa performance. Though the drums were already set up in their beautifully decorated stands, there was a flurry of activity as the students all took their places. It reminded me of a beehive; everyone looked like they were swarming but each one had their own unique purpose. The drummers started and the dancers blended right in. Even the youngest ones who were not dancing or playing the drums sat on the floor and called out to encourage the performers. The energy was high and they danced and played with great enthusiasm. I was especially struck with the contrast between the fluid movements of the girls’ long, thin arms and the lone boy’s more forceful interpretation of the music. Their feet beat a rhythm on the floor to match the drums. I watched Ketu model a rhythm on the drum. It looked as if his hands were galloping across the animal skin. After a few tries, his protégé seemed to grasp the technique. The pedagogy is very interesting; the students just seem to absorb what they need to learn. Mary Ann came in and joined me. She practiced beating out Tiriba on the wooden floor. Soon we left and on the way out I was able to meet some of the parents and we agreed that I would give them access to the blog.