Out of Ash(é) (2018)

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Awash in red, black and silver, donned with precolonial cowrie 'coins', this performance work makes a danced offering to the Guardian of the Crossroads, the point of intersection and communication, between the roads of Yoruba trickster, Èṣù (Exu, Eshu), and the games of Capoeira; and between the artistic practices of a dancer and independent researcher and writer, Heather Grant, and Martial Artist, Nkunda Patrick.

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Following the published advice of Yoruba scholar, Ajayi, this piece explores, in order to understand, the concept of play through the mythology of the Orisa, Èṣù/Eleggua/Eshu, the divine messenger, negotiator of positive and negative forces, opener and closer of life pathways, holder of Às̩e̩/Aché/Axé, and communicator between Orun (earthly realm) and Àye (spiritual realm), this energy encapsulates the duality life and death, and is the first to be honoured in all Santería and Candomblé ceremonies.

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Gunga, leader of the Roda, held by the most knowledgeable, opener the game of capoeira through a ladainha, a form of prayer, historical recount, and story.  Berimbau plays in the marketplace to draw attention, to deliver a message, and to sell a product. Thus we have another form of negotiation, that is, business negotiation, and the exchange of a product or service.

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Às̩e̩ (Aché, Axé), "the power to bring things into existence" (Drewal, p. 27) is akin to our life force, also known as prana (India), chi (China), and mauri (Aotearoa); and a regular word encountered in the practice of capoeira to mean 'good energy'.

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Ash, the physical remains of earthly matter after fire has passed, and from which, new life emerges. This performance work blends martial arts, dance, music, song, story, mythology; coming "Out of Ashe", wherein new life, creativity, and the hybrid emerges.