AFIA FESTIVAL
Afia Festival is our biggest event of the year! One week celebration of South African culture in Sweden! – With guest appearances of other African cultures.
During 7 days in the beginning of summer in Stockholm city we gather from different cities, countries and continents to dance, talk, experience, battle, jam and club together. As the sun doesn’t set in June in Sweden, our vibe doesn’t either, we continue celebrating unity and love for South African music and dance throughout the whole week.
The main subject of the Festival is isiPantsula* and House music. Dance and Dj culture from South Africa.
At our festival we aim to make everyone feel welcome and find a good way to participate and learn. Therefore we have so many different activities: Workshops, lectures, panel discussions, movie screenings, parties and mingle and probably more to come! We wish for people to dig deeper and understand different perspectives of life, hear each other and accept each other. At Afia Festival we go deep, we go beyond the surface of trends and waves, we want to know why, how and when. Join us on this journey of learning, celebrating, enjoying, connecting and opening up!
For us, it’s important to keep it authentic, intimate and respectful so every activity at our program has been thought through and discussed before being brought to reality. Afia Festival is a platform for African cultures and African artists, meaning our artist-line up consists solely of artists with African heritage. However, everyone is welcome to join the festival as participants and audience, the more the merrier!
What is Pantsula?
The subculture Pantsula developed in Sophiatown, South Africa during the forced displacement of black people during Apartheid. Pantsula became a common expression and identity of the merging of the 11 tribes that existed in the country. The dance style (isiPantsula) developed from both traditional dances and theatrical gestures from daily life. During apartheid the regime would send out spies to the townships to keep demonstrations under control, but with isiPantsula the people could send messages without the regime knowing and together keep the spirit! Pantsula has saved many lives of young South Africans that devoted their life to the dance instead of streetlife. The dance could give a fellowship, a safety and something to do. Pantsula was a political movement to give black people a voice when they had lost all human rights. Today Pantsula is a know South African characteristic dance style.
The Festival is located in Stockholm in June every year. But be on the lookout for pop up events in other cities, connecting to the festival!
CLICK above to see this year’s full program.
What is Pantsula?
The subculture Pantsula developed in Sophiatown, South Africa during the forced displacement of black people during Apartheid. Pantsula became a common expression and identity of the merging of the 11 tribes that existed in the country. The dance style (isiPantsula) developed from both traditional dances and theatrical gestures from daily life. During apartheid the regime would send out spies to the townships to keep demonstrations under control, but with isiPantsula the people could send messages without the regime knowing and together keep the spirit! Pantsula has saved many lives of young South Africans that devoted their life to the dance instead of streetlife. The dance could give a fellowship, a safety and something to do. Pantsula was a political movement to give black people a voice when they had lost all human rights. Today Pantsula is a know South African characteristic dance style.
YEBO YES!
Stage performance (dance) with a Swedish/South African ensemble
“Singing more than one part, telling more than one story, at the same time,
No voice surrenders its individual identity,
nor does any one voice steal the show,
There is no front person, no soloist, no leader.”
Quote by Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
With massive energy and personal stories on stage YEBO YES! is inspired by isiPanstula, freestyle and club culture. The piece invites the audience to feel the dancer’s individual expression on stage, unfiltered and raw together with a strong presence of unity, support and heritage. The room gradually fills up with a progressive electronic music made by Yared Tilahun Cederlund from Sweden together with vocalist Ntsika Fana Nxganga from South Africa.
YEBO YES! is a full lenght dance performance starring artistic leaders Joanna Holewa Chrona and Theresa Gustavsson from Sweden together with co-creating dancers Sibusiso Mthembu, Patricia Gugu Mofokeng and David Mokale from South Africa.
The idea behind the performance started from seeking connections between different street dances and individual dancers. Later on in the process the interest grew of exploring the power in the individual expression, in choreography and in a club environment. What really caught Joanna and Theresas interest to work with Pantsula was the feeling of a synchronized mass that never seem to stop, amongst rhythms, characters, playfulness, footwork and drive. The dancers are using their own dance as a way of expression to create their unique self. This is something that the artistic leaders has chosen to highlight, and through using the power of support nurse the energy that occurs between the self-taught street dancers.
The meeting between the dancers, the cultures and the personalities gives the performance an honest expression and a raw image of what streetdance culture and personal expression could be.
- Lenght: 60 min
- Stage: Both indoor and outdoor stages, can be discussed
- No props
- A rider can be sent upon request
Artistic leaders: Joanna Holewa Chrona and Theresa Gustavsson
IsiPantsula Artistic leader: Sibusiso Mthembu
Co-creating dancers: Sibusiso Mthembu, Patricia Mofokeng, David Mokale,
Theresa Gustavsson, Joanna Holewa Chrona
Music: Yared Tilahun Cederlund
Vocals: Ntsika Fana Xganga
Costume: Victoria Denise Tcha
Light: Erik Wiedersheim-Paul
Producer: AFIA
Co-producer: Norrlandsoperan, Dansnät Sverige, Dansens Hus
With support from: Konstnärsnämnden, Vusi Art project, Riksteatern, Kulturrådet
YEBO YES! TOUR SCHEDULE & TICKET INFO
BOOK US
This piece is done for an indoor theater but can under certain circumstances be performed on other types of stages/venues. We need a minimum 2 months notice for a gig due to visa applications and travels. If you are interested in booking us, contact us via afiapresents@gmail.com
AFIA WEEKEND SPECIAL
Afia Weekend Special is a new concept (est 2024), and its created to be able to expand our work and not only give you Afia Festival once a year but to be able to offer some special weekends here and there! Expect pop ups in your city, country with dance workshops, clubs, panel talks, performances, movie screening etc!
Are you interested in a Afia Weekend Special collaboration?
Dont hesitate to reach out, its a mobile concept and we move with the wind! – Taking our concept, our artists and our vision with us of course!
