SA dancers shine at world championship
RIEL dance group Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers secured global recognition by clinching 29 gold and silver medals and a trophy at the world championship in America.
They performed one of southern Africa’s oldest dance forms, attributed to the Khoi and the San.
The intricate courtship dance, where animals are impersonated, was performed by the Khoi and San around the fire.
The team are from Wupperthal in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape and surrounds.
Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers were in Long Beach, California for the past two weeks, competing against performers from 50 countries at the 19th annual International Performing Arts Championships in Long Beach. The competition draws performers, including dancers, actors and singers.
They formed part of a 90-strong South African team.
According to the World Championships of Performing Arts website, the 17-member Trappers team won 14 gold and eight silver medals in the senior dance category, and the band won seven silver medals in the senior instruments category.
They got a trophy for being the winners in the open dance category.
Yesterday the Trappers’ Facebook page was flooded with messages of congratulations from their fans.
The riel dance was revived by the Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV) in 2006 after almost dying out over the years.
In a press statement, Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said the team are cultural ambassadors who carry the spirit of the country’s indigenous culture that they express through their costumes, movement, choreography and dance.
“We are proud to see our young, gifted and proudly South African artists take their rightful place to share our culture and heritage with their counterparts worldwide.”