LAGOS, Dec 27 (Reuters) – In a road in a poor neighbourhood of Lagos, a bare-chested younger man, Present Eze, holds his screaming companion, serving to calm the trend inside and cease him combating.
Residents of Oworonshoki have seen their share of violence, with robberies and tit-for-tat gang murders as soon as commonplace on this a part of Nigeria’s huge, boisterous industrial capital.
However the scene on Christmas Eve, a dance routine between two males caked in chalk, confirmed how far the group has come for the reason that annual Slum Social gathering, an artwork occasion utilizing dance to inform tales of the area people, was established 4 years in the past.
Days of dance workshops culminated with an all-day carnival aiming to reclaim the streets and scale back tensions between rival gangs. Earlier than lengthy, onlookers had been dancing together with the drums, blurring the traces between performers and their viewers.
“We’re utilizing dance as a focus … to come back to the group and simply discuss in regards to the numerous socio-political points that wanted to be addressed, utilizing a celebration because the template,” mentioned Sunday Ozegbe-Obiajulu, who based the occasion.
Eze, one of many Slum Social gathering’s individuals, mentioned the occasion has been transformational.
“I have been capable of obtain a giant purpose in my life, and Slum Social gathering has actually modified a complete lot for me,” he mentioned.
Neighborhood chief Oriyomi Akeem mentioned Slum Social gathering has helped convey peace to a neighbourhood as soon as often known as a no-go space overrun by gangs. “Now all the things is calm and good,” Akeem mentioned.
Ozegbe-Obiajulu hopes the carnival’s success may very well be replicated by folks in different troubled areas of Nigeria and past.
“With their dance, their poetry, their music, they will positively use it to convey some form of consideration to their group, they will additionally use it to encourage the younger ones.”
Reporting by Seun Sanni; writing by Hereward Holland; modifying by Mark Heinrich
: .
