Sankofa
The Williams College Step Team

The word “sankofa,” from the Akan people in Ghana, loosely translates to “reaching back in order to move forward.” Sankofa was formed in the fall of the ‘96-’97 school year by five women from the class of 2000: Dahra Jackson, Maxine Lyle, Mya Fisher, Melina Evans and Samantha Reed. Stepping at Williams was born.

Sankofa choreographs original material that incorporates popular song, drums, hip-hop, break dance, spoken word, poetry, and sheer creative ingenuity. Stepping features precise, synchronized, and complex rhythmic body movements, combined with singing, chanting, and verbal play.

History of Stepping
Stepping is a uniquely African American dance genre that was created in the United States but is, in the words of Roger Abrahams, “animated by the style, spirit, social and aesthetic organization of the sub-Saharan Africa.” This dance was created on the campuses of American colleges and universities during the 1900’s by African American students.

Sankofa Alum on Sankofa
Funmi Olosunde ‘06: “Sankofa allows me to be the instrument as opposed to dancing to musical instruments. You are the music and you are making the music with your hands and your feet. Through Sankofa you are utilizing your body to be the music and to make the rhythm.”

Gape Machao ‘06: “Sankofa is a family. It is a place where I can go to relax, forget about all the academic stress and pressures and hang out with people I work with. It is also a place for creativity where we can create something extraordinary out of nothing. Having this place means a lot to me.”

Guest artists include:

• Maxine Lyle ‘00
• Wyatt Jackson

Artistic direction by selected student choreographers.