Dominica’s Arts and Culture the (BČLČ)
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Dominica’s arts and culture the BČLČ

By Noreen L Joseph
May 18, 2015 2:05 P.M



noreen joseph
Noreen Joseph is a cultural icon in Dominica.
Roseau, Dominica (TDN) This dance bčlč is one of the traditional dances which is still performed in Dominica in its raw state. That was one of the dances handed down by our African ancestors, using the drum as its musical accompaniment.

The dance is a very laborious, flirtatious and fast paced, involving two dancers, a drummer, and at least four singers with one main singer pitching the song while the others respond. The drummer usually follows the movement of the dancers’ feet, while the dancers flirt with each other.

The bčlč is danced bare feet and can be performed in any setting. Thus many people are usually more attracted to the bčlč than the other traditional dances.

As an onlooker, one would think that the dancers are cleaning something with their feet; there was a saying in the earlier days, that this is how the coffee bean was peeled as the slaves would just dance on the beans.

Although bčlč is one of the dances still performed in the traditional form, yet we can see creativity creeping in, as culture is not static. In the earlier days our fore parents danced to amuse themselves and their friends, but as time goes on, there has been an insurgence of completions and most dancers are trying sometimes to outdo each other in their varied style, thus allowing for competitions among groups to be rigid.

During the season of Independence which is celebrated from September to November each year, many groups participate in cultural activities. And a number of them participate in the bčlč competition to prove that they are better than the other, and so the judges have a tough time adjudicating.

The main bčlč groups are Tradibelle Cultural Group from Grand bay and the Paix Bouche Cultural Group from Paix Bouche; these two groups have some real fierce competitions. But lately there are some stiff competitions from the Dubique group.

However there are many other groups all over, who are doing quite well representing their communities.

There are varied styles of the bčlč: Namely, sotč, pitchč, jouba, rikiti, and is also dependent on which part of the country you are from. However the more popular forms are sotč and pitchč. Songs are also composed to the rhythms so one must be careful as to what life they live so a song is not composed about them.

The bčlč is one of the richest dances performed and one has to have stamina to dance it, although it may look like it is vulgar, yet it is not to be taken literally as this is the way that the flirtation between the dancers can come to life.

It is a dance that needs participation from the people around so the real beauty can come to the fore.

Noreen Lydia Joseph MSA, BA, is a story teller, dramatist, teacher, social worker, dancer, master of ceremonies, and Cultural Icon. She is also the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award of Honour from the Government of Dominica in 2009.

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