Choreographer

Asadata Dafora

A black man is in a grass skirt with necklaces and a headband. He holds a musical instrument and seems to be dancing. The photo is black & white

Asadata Dafora (1890–1965), a native of Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa, was one of the pioneers of Black dance in America. Prior to arriving in New York in 1929, Dafora studied music in Europe and traveled extensively throughout Africa, seeking knowledge about the rich and varied heritage of African art and culture. His unique talents burst upon the New York entertainment scene with his dance opera Kykunkor (The Witch Women) in 1934. The production proved that the authentic portrayal of African music and dance could be successful on the American concert stage. Dafora's company went on to be featured in Orson Welles’ production of Macbeth and other critically acclaimed productions, setting the stage for future trailblazers of African American dance.