Ethiopian Folk Dances

Adult Group Class / Dance Program

Don’t miss this unique experience to learn Ethiopian folk dances with world-renowned artist, known as the “Walking Earthquake” and “King of Eskista,” Melaku Belay of Fendika!

Melaku will introduce participants to dance styles from the diverse cultures in Ethiopia such as Tigray, Wollo, Gondar, Gurage, Wolaita, and Oromo. In addition to teaching these dances in a hands-on manner, Melaku will explain the dances’ geographical, historical, and socio-cultural contexts, their meanings in these
contexts, and their development in contemporary Ethiopia. Melaku demonstrates his unique approach to Ethiopian dance performance, born out of his extraordinary life journey and his free interpretation of traditional forms.

Melaku Belay is a world-renowned Ethiopian dancer, a highly respected ambassador for Ethiopia’s music and dance, the owner/director of Fendika Azmari Bet and Fendika Cultural Center, and the president of Ethiopian Dance Association. Melaku is a contemporary virtuoso interpreter of traditional Ethiopian dance eskista. His spectacular mastery of eskista has earned him the nicknames of “walking earthquake” and “King of Eskista.” Melaku grew up as a street kid in 1980s’ Ethiopia, learning many regional dances of Ethiopia in religious festivals such as Timqat, folk ceremonies, and everyday activities in Addis Ababa and the countryside where music and dance are a vital part of cultural and spiritual expression. More recently, he has traveled throughout Ethiopia to learn the dance traditions of the country’s 80 tribal groups. Grounded in these traditions, Melaku has fashioned his unique style of performance. In close collaboration with musicians of many genres and backgrounds, Melaku mesmerizes his audiences with “astounding” “rhythmic virtuosity” and superlative artistry (observed by the dance critic of The New York Times in 2011, of Melaku’s performance at Lincoln Center). Since 2010, Melaku has created contemporary site-specific dance works in Addis Ababa to explore the spatial, sonic and psychic dimensions of Ethiopia’s recent development.

In 2015, Melaku was honored with Chevalier des arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture. In 2017, he received a UNESCO International Fund for the Promotion of Culture grant and presented Felega 2018, an Azmari music festival that brought together Ethiopian musicians of different nationalities (Amhara, Oromo and Tigray) and different generations. In 2018, Melaku was elected the founding president of Ethiopian Dance Association to promote Ethiopian dance domestically and internationally and to protect the rights of dancers in Ethiopia.

Grouped with: African / Creative Movement / Folk / Global Traditions / Movement / Social Dance