US sends cultural dance troupe to Colombo

Colombo, November 15, 2005 - As a gesture of thanks to Sri Lanka's generous assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the people of the United States are bringing a uniquely new orleans dance and song tradition to Colombo - The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Collective, the US Embassy said yesterday.

They will perform on Tuesday November 22 at 7.00 p.m. at Lionel Wendt Theatre. "While material assistance is critical to victims of natural disasters - be it hurricane, tsunami, or earthquake - in the long run, people also rely heavily on their cultural traditions to rebuild their communities," said Public Affairs Counsellor Philip Frayne. "Having lost their traditional performance venue in the hurricane, the new orleans collective will bring their indomitable spirit expressed through music and individual stories to the people of Sri Lanka.

Proceeds from the performance will support a Lankan cultural tradition through the Bandu Wijesooriya School of Dancing," he said.

The city of new orleans is a melting pot of people and cultures like no other.

Since its founding almost three hundred years ago, the city has seen blacks, whites and creoles come together and share their African, European, Latin American and Caribbean heritages. This blending of cultures has produced a unique people with a unique spirit. The collective represents a 150-year-old tradition created by African Americans as a symbolic tribute to Native Americans; during the slavery era, local Native Americans welcomed, accepted, and sheltered run-away slaves.

Because this humanitarianism was never forgotten, when African-Americans began to participate in the local tradition of masquerading, they chose to mask as Indians.

Lavishly costumed with feathers, beads and sequins, the collective performs songs, dances and chants that have been carried down through generations.