Bode Lawal is considered one of the major exponents of creative African dance in Britain. Lawal was born in Nigeria and grew up immersed in traditional Yoruba dance culture. When a European dance company visited Lagos, Lawal was fascinated with the new tradition and created a new form of ‘African People’s Dance’. He became the Nigerian Ministry of Culture’s Dancer of the Year in 1985. The state supported Lawal to study in Britain. He formed Sakoba (meaning new dawn), to celebrate the rich traditions of African dance and music together with elements of western contemporary dance.
Sakoba Dance Theatre gained recognition. In 1990, Lawal choreographed Macbeth for the English Shakespeare Company. In 2003, Lawal was invited to the University of California as a visiting professor. He was awarded The Dance Artist Fellowship “Men of Merit” Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dance at UCLA in 2001. His Clockwork/Glory Dance won the ‘Performance of the Year 2006’ in The Journal Culture Awards.
Lawal established Sakoba’s sister company in Los Angeles to promote his unique choreography across the world.
Lawal believed that dance was more than entertainment. For Lawal the connection and importance of spiritualism and physicality was an essential part of his dance.
Ref: Sakoba website, Research projects 2013, n.p).
Theatre review: Okan’ Nijo (One) at The Round, Newcastle, and touring (britishtheatreguide.info)
Image credit: SAKOBA presents OKAN N’IJO (ONE). Sakoba website
