Story: Clarete Zvoushe
Each Saturday Somali girls aged between 7 to 18 years from across Sheffield meet at Verdon Recreation Centre to learn traditional Somali dance.
I met the women who volunteer to teach them dance, sing and play the instruments, passing on their knowledge to the next generation. They told me
“The dancing helps the girls learn and know more about their background and it’s a good exercise because they enjoy it a lot and they do not realise they are also exercising. We teach them different variations of dance and different themes, which have different meanings.”
The women explained that it is also a time for girls to bond with their mothers because mothers come along with their daughters. It is a good social experience and a chance to speak and learn the Somali language.
The girls are now able to perform at weddings, international days and celebrations, such as Eid. The group recently performed at Verdon Recreation Centre to celebrate the end of term, this year focusing on Somaliland colours.
At last year's celebrations they wore the blue colours of Somalia.
The Somali Dance sessions are part of the positive activities for young people in Sheffield. They are delivered by the IT-CSSS study support and funded by the Council.
Somali Dance Sessions are well attended, both girls and their mothers enjoy attending Somali Dance sessions every Saturday between 1pm to 3pm during term time.