The Géwël Tradition Project: 2013 in Review
January 1, 2014
This has been a somewhat quiet but constructive year for the Géwël Tradition Project. The focus has been on using the materials from the archives to present ngéwël history and culture and the work of the project to the public through presentations, publications and an increased on-line presence. Our biggest accomplishments were:
March 2013
Géwël Tradition Project opened a Face Book Page
Géwël Tradition Project FB Page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Géwël-Tradition-Project/593776840649951
April 2013
Moustapha Faye was the Visiting Scholar and Artist in Residence for the Black Studies Program at Suffolk University, Boston, MA. Moustapha’s fourth residency for the Black Studies Program was a huge success.
Moustapha Faye teaching dance class at Suffolk University.
Spring 2013
The Géwël Tradition Project: Supporting A Living Tradition
An article on the Géwël Tradition Project was published in the Spring issue of African Arts Magazine.
African Arts magazine cover
October 2013
Dancing Through Time and Space: African Dance and the Géwël Tradition of Senegal at Suffolk University
An article on the dance class that the Project has taught at Suffolk University since 2005 was published in the Journal of Pan African Studies, an on-line journal.
Journal of Pan African Studies Cover
http://www.jpanafrican.com/docs/vol6no5/6.5-Bellinger.pdf
The Géwël Tradition Project would like to wish everyone a prosperous and productive New Year! May we all continue to learn from and share with each other. And int hat spirit we invite you to continue to visit the Géwël Tradition Project’s blog and Facebook page. We also invite you to read the articles about the project in the publications above, and please let share your comments on either the blog or Facebook page. Thank you for your continued support in 2014.
Remembering the Elders
January 1, 2014
The child looks everywhere and often sees nought; but the old man sitting on the ground sees everything. –Wolof
One of the most important natural resources that a community has is its elders. It is said that a long life brings wisdom. An elder is a repository for a lifetime of learning and experience as well as for the wisdom gained from his or her elders. So a physically long life, by linking to previous generations adds cultural, historical and spiritual length to a physically long life. And because during their lifetime elders have welcomed many when they entered the world and have bid farewell to many who have departed, elders know their communities. This is why they are and should be revered. To gain knowledge from an elder, to have the opportunity to listen to or converse with an elder, and take in the wisdom that such an exchange will bring, is a special thing. But it is an even greater blessing when one can sit in the shadow of an elder, even if only for a brief time. To share space with an elder during moments of quiet reflection, to feel the wake of their energy, amassed over their lifetime, washing over you, and through you, informing you and enriching you with its power. This is special. As we start the new year The Géwël Tradition Project would like to remember all of the elders who have made a transition from this plane, especially Elhadji Moussa Faye and Nelson Madiba Mandela.
Elhadji Moussa Faye
Nelson Mandela
A parent dies in the body, but not in the minds of the children. –Ganda
The Géwël Tradition 