Woven Souls
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GUJARAT SIDI GOMA TRIBAL FOLK DANCE

The Sidi Community is a tribe of East African origin that have settled in various parts of Gujarat since the 12th century.
Goma originates from the swahili word for dance

Finding a community with unexpected roots,
settled in a state that I thought I knew really well
was probably the most delightful personal discovery
I have made in all my cultural quests.

This community has the lithe afro physique, the tiny curls of hair,
an enviable internal rhythm
but it was strange to hear them speak gujarati!
Settled in Gujarat for generations, they have become one with their adopted land.

Their dance & music are based on Sufi saint traditions
- as do many groups from this area that are Islamic -
where the dance or music becomes the vehicle of offering devotion.

However, in certain contexts in which the dance is performed, 'clowning' is an integral part.

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All photographs copyright Jaina Mishra.
If you would like to purchase large format copies please write to jaina@wovensouls.com

The next three pictures record an amazing feat - the dancer picks up a coconut from the floor.........

.......prepares to throw it up high in the air .........

........and now as the coconut falls to the ground, he positions himself so that it falls on his head........and breaks it with the impact !!!!!!

The above image was captured a fraction of a secnd after the impact - at which point the coconut had broken and bounced upwards again, after splashing the water....

photographs by jaina mishra, nikon d90 & nikkor 24-70mm 2.8G (january 2010)

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