Environmental Dance
Environmental Dance:
Environmental Dance marks another powerful collaboration between Ugandan artist Robert Ssempijja and Company Christoph Winkler, four distinct regions of Uganda creating a series of dance films that celebrate the beauty of nature while confronting the realities of environmental change. This project not only deepened Ssempijja’s understanding of Uganda’s diverse art communities but also wove together traditional and contemporary dance forms to reflect the unique landscapes and ecological challenges of each region. Through this initiative, Ssempijja and Winkler aim to make the impacts of climate change tangible, using movement, personal testimonies, and scientific data to foster a global dialogue about humanity’s relationship with the earth.
PII: Northern Uganda
In Northern Uganda, Ssempijja collaborated with the dance community of Gulu, drawing inspiration from the majestic Aruu Falls in Pader District. The resulting dance film, PII, is a vibrant celebration of nature’s beauty, with movements that echo the cascading waters and rugged landscapes of the region. Featuring dancers Geoffrey Oryema, Okurut George, Hamza Kimera, and Francis Anyway Akaguluma, the work embodies a deep reverence for the natural world, inviting audiences to reconnect with the environment through the language of dance.
Between the Meshes: Eastern Uganda
In Eastern Uganda, the project took shape on one of the islands of Lake Victoria the largest freshwater body in Africa. Between the Meshes reflects the serene yet fragile ecosystem of the lake, capturing its rhythms through the movements of dancers Julius Oonyu, Daniel Vizara, Musoga Swaloliki Fal, and Sirajl Koloto. The film intertwines the fluidity of water with the resilience of the communities that depend on it, offering a poignant meditation on the balance between human life and the natural world.
Roots & Roots: Central Uganda
In Central Uganda, the pervasive issue of plastic pollution in Kampala inspired Roots & Roots. The streets, littered with plastic bags and bottles, became the backdrop for a powerful narrative about environmental degradation. Working with dancers Peter Kafuluma, Joseph Julius Kasozi, Salama Natabl, and Tereka Kenneth Desire, Ssempijja crafted a piece that confronts the impact of human consumption while rooting the movements in the cultural heartbeat of the region, urging viewers to reflect on their role in the planet’s future.
Ekitaguliro: Western Uganda
Ekitaguliro, created in Western Uganda, draws on one of the region’s most celebrated traditional dances, known for its songs and movements that honor nature’s beauty. This piece celebrates the deep cultural connection to the environment embedded in Ugandan traditions, weaving together ancestral rhythms with contemporary expressions. The dance film serves as a reminder of the wisdom inherent in traditional practices, offering a vision of harmony between humanity and the earth. Created By Gerald Ssemaganda And Peace Africa Children’s Ensemble
The dance films of Environmental Dance are part of a larger initiative by Company Christoph Winkler, accessible through the interactive platform https://environmental-dance.com/ This website combines scientific data on climate change with traditional and contemporary dances from around the world, reflecting humanity’s integration with nature. Personal testimonies from Ugandans reflecting on climate change collected as part of this project are also featured on the site, adding a human dimension to the environmental narrative. Through this multifaceted approach, Environmental Dance seeks to make the global crisis of climate change visible and felt, using the universal language of dance to inspire awareness and action.
