September 13, 2007

Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe to Perform Sept. 29 at Whitworth

Who: The Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe

What: A Maasai and Luo tribal performance, "The Coming of the Nilotics"

When: Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.

Where: Seeley Mudd Chapel at Whitworth University

Cost: Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-4263

"The Coming of the Nilotics" performance will feature music, dance, chanting and jumping contests traditionally performed by East African Maasai and Luo cultures. Members of these two Kenyan tribes share common ancestry as Nilotics (people of the Nile). During the performance, the 10 Maasai and Luo villagers who compose the troupe will draw from their rich history of song, dance and storytelling to express themes of motherhood, rites of passage, becoming a warrior and the praise of cattle.

The Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe is led by Kenyan Nicholas Sironka, who is a master batik artist and Fulbright Scholar. Sironka has taught courses in batik and Maasai culture and has exhibited his work previously at Whitworth. For more information about the Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe, visit www.sironkamaasai.com/nilotics_shows.htm.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal-arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 2,500 students, offers 53 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Julie Shanholtzer, program assistant, Speakers and Artists Series and psychology department, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4263 or jshanholtzer@whitworth.edu.

Julie Riddle, public information officer, Whitworth University (509) 777-3729 or jriddle@whitworth.edu.