Explore the Virtual Program

Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company

Iris Rosa Santiago, Director

As we embark on our journey, we begin with the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. This symbolic illustration of the journey from Africa to the New World represents the beginning of migratory stories revolutionizing and transforming lives.

Part I: Voyage to the New World

They came before us

From Ghana the Ashanti, Fanti

Yoruba, Ibo, Congo, Carabali

Across the Water

Swaying, praying, dying, landing

Bringing their cultures and religions

To countries, like,

Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Peru

These are just to name a few countries

That now bring us

Platano, mangu, mofongo, callaloo 

Frititas de bacalao, Sancocho, yams, and okra, too

Seasoned Greens and cornbread, and ice-cold sweet tea

Comfort food for the soul, nourishment for our hearts

Ancestors’ warmth and that’s just a start

Of a voyage that would change lives forever.

Poem: “They Came” written and spoken by Iris Rosa Santiago

Music: “Columbus Ghost” by Mutabaruka, “The Rhy in You” by Tarufiq Qureshi

Dancers: Entire Company

Part II: Opening the Doors

The Orisha of the crossroads to our lives, Elegua, opens the pathways to lives. Opportunities to trek and wonder to find where we belong.

Bara su  wayo  omo  (n) ya la wana

Vital force who far and wide appears;

Child that separates splits and divides the road

Ko mama kena   irawo  e

Do not cut the Initiates  mat of goodness

O Bara wayo  Eke e Esu   Odara -  omo  (n) yalawa na

Vital force who comes to deliver (us), Forked Stick

Esu performer of wonders

Child that separates splits and divides the road

Ko mama kena   irawo e

Do not cut the Initiate’s mat of goodness

Dancer: Jayna Ratcliff

Music: “Elegua” by Okonkolo

Part III: Desplegando el Camino / Unfolding the Path

Owner of all roads, the crossroads, opens and closes doors to the pathways of our lives.

You who guards the entrances and exits of the earth,

the roads that cross, the winds that blow, the eyes that see all corners of the world.

Elegua pregunta

Quales son los caminos en tu vida?

Which pathways are the ones in your life

and have you ever asked yourself why you follow a certain camino or pathway?

The garabato, hooked stick, that separates the bush to clear the path.  

Setting eyes ahead and not looking back,

reaching to the heavens for illumination

Dancers: Entire Company

Music:  “Alumbanche – traditional” by Pan Afrikan Dance & Drum Ensemble

Part IV: Living in the Crossroads

Living in the crossroads

Is it temptation, tragedy, opportunity, influence, or trust?

Ambitions, success, curiosity or is it just us looking for that pathway that illuminates our desires, needs or diversions.

Can we find gratitude, grace, and growth?

A new awakening, for freedom, and safety lives in finding the road to

your destiny and fate

Dancers: Entire company

Music: “Tomorrow Never Comes” by Rishi & Harshil

Part V: Fate and Destiny

Ayudame encontrar mi camino

Help me find the pathway best suited for me. 

Help me find the pathway best suited for me. 

Obatala, creator of wisdom, mentor me 

Oya, help me survive the tempest. 

as I dream of new beginnings and the realms of possibilities

Dancers: Camille Beck, Kelvin Burzon, Hannah Crane, Cherese Dillman, Amelia Smith, Jiang Xu 江凝旭 

Music: “Elegua (A Prayer for The Children)” Featuring Gregorio Bento, Gwen Bunn, Nick, Hakim & William Gittens

Part VI: Ibeji

Ibeji

Twins

Duality of humans

One spirit, two bodies that can be

compatible, cooperative, obliging 

One spirit, two bodies that can be

Opposites like

Day and night

Right and left

Up and down

Strong and weak

Independent and interdependent

One cell split into two but share the essence of Ibeji, you both are connected.  Representing two sides of living

Elegua, Elegua, you are the combination of opposites, but you also are the balance of opposing forces.

Come retrieve your children and teach them how to be stable and maintain equilibrium between the two sides of the looking glass.

Dancers: Entire Company

Music: “Ku-Ka-Ilimoku:  Ku-Ka-Ilimoku for Percussion” by The Concordia Orchestra & Marin Alsop

Part VII: Ancestors

I had a dream. I was in the clouds.

Elegua on one side of me and one of my ancestors on the other side of me

The road opened for safe passageway.

Our ancestors, through their experience, they leave us history, because they have walked this earth and now want to guide us through the pathways.

We sing, we dance to invoke the spirits of those who have left us gifts.

These gifts are a testament to what we can do with their guidance and counseling to keep their spiritual essence alive

What do ancestors mean to you. 

How do you connect with your ancestors?

Dancers: Entire Company

Text: Created by the Dancers

Dancers: Camille Beck, Kelvin Burzon, Hannah Crane, Cherese Dillman, Grace Fornefeld, Jayna Ratcliff

Music: “Sódade” by Cesária Evora and Bonga

Part VIII: Finding the Way

Each decision that you make comes with consequences.  It’s free will.

Have you made your decision on one which road to take?

Life is a balance, the yin and the yang.

Opposites

Anger and happiness, the low and the high, lo bueno y lo malo, the good and the bad

Puertas abriertas……Find the open doors and look for harmony to create your own purpose in life.

Elegua, guardian of the crossroads, will be present to lead and help you navigate your chosen camino to your limitless possibilities in life.

Dancers:  Entire Company

Music: “Elegua” by Nic N’Taya