Dance Group Needs Public Attention

Though discouraged by less recognition of dancers in Rwanda, Jabbo Junior dancers are not willing to give up.

With their limited resources and financial support from friends and family they intend to hold a concert on 17 December as a way of commanding respect.

Berry Manzi the Chief Executive officer of the team which specializes in contemporary dances noted that the progress has not been easy since the 16 member group started performing two years ago.

He argued that Rwandans have not been supportive since majority prefer hiring traditional dancers (Itorero).The few who invite them to perform pay them pea-nuts or offer them transport fee.

Isaac Gasangwa also the team’s choreographer agrees with Manzi that both the public and corporate institutions are showing less will to exploit modern dancing.

Normally an ordinary traditional dancing group is paid Rwf 300,000 to perform for 40 minutes yet contemporary dancers are paid Rwf50,000 to perform for 2 hours.

“We rarely get paid and since we want to shine and get attention from the public, we opt to perform for free, especially in secondary schools,” Manzi noted.

Gasangwa insisted that he was optimistic that dancing has potential since there’re many talented dancers in the country.

This is among the facts that inspired them to hold the concert which will have performances from ten teams.

“The show will be held at Ishyo Centre in Kacyiru, the aim is to show Rwandan unity and talent, I hope they start appreciating our ability by inviting us in big ceremonies if possible even public ones,” said Gasangwa.

He said that the forthcoming concert will cost them Rwf2 million but have only managed to raise Rwf 800,000 through contributions from friends and family.

For the meantime they’re seeking sponsorship from media outlets in advertising their concert.

Jabbo Junior is among the most liked dancing teams , so far out of 7 competitions they have performed they’ve won 5. Among the popular awards they have attained include, Triology dance competition and MTN big up dance.