Dhaanto
Somali music genre and type of dance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dhaanto is a style of traditional Somali music and folk dance. It is a cultural folk dance native to the Somali people in the Horn of Africa.[1][2]
History
According to local tradition, Dhaanto is believed to have been invented by the nomadic Ogaden clan. The origins of the dance could be traced back to Somali Region of Ethiopia.[3][4] It was revived in the late 19th century by the Dervish Movement, and was used to raise the 'spirits' of soldiers and was often sung on horseback.[5] Dhaanto became popular among the Somalis in Ethiopia and quickly spread to other Somali territories in the Horn of Africa.[6] In the Ogaden region, this dance is very popular and you will annually see ethnic Somalis perform different versions of this dance at the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Day in Jigjiga. Additionally, the genre is also employed in Islamic poetry.[7][8]
References
- Francesco, Giannattasio (1988). "The Study of Somali Music: Present State". Proceedings of the Third International Congress of Somali Studies. Archived from the original on 2020-09-29.
- Mengisteab, Kidane; Bereketeab, Redie (2012). Regional Integration, Identity & Citizenship in the Greater Horn of Africa. Boydell & Brewer. pp. 158–159. ISBN 978-1-84701-058-2.
- Johnson, John William (1996). 'Heelloy': Modern Poetry and Songs of the Somalis. Indiana University Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-874209-81-2.
- Johnson, John William (1974). Heellooy, Heelleellooy: The Development of the Genre Heello in Modern Somali Poetry. Indiana University. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-87750-174-9.
- Maxamed, Maxamed Cabdi (1987). Eraybixin soomaali-faransiis (in French). Stalactite sucrée. p. 43.
- Shao, Oliver (2023-09-12). Composing Aid: Music, Refugees, and Humanitarian Politics. Indiana University Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-253-06766-1.
- Johnson, John William (1996). Heelloy: Modern Poetry and Songs of the Somali. Indiana University Press. p. 31. ISBN 1874209812.
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