HISTORY

In the fall of 1987, Rory Turner, son of noted anthropologists, Victor and Edith Turner, answered an add for African dance classes. He offered this services of playing the drum for the classes and organized a group of novice musicians to assist him. They chose the name "Chihamba" selected from his mother's novel, "The Spirit and the Drum". Rory's mother lived for many years in a African village known as Kihima with the Ndembu people of South Africa. The Ndembu performed a healing ceremony named "Chihamba". Our musicians intrigued with this ceremony adopted this name.
Young dancers in Dancescape classes performed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, elderly homes, and various places upon request in order to promote public service, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Adult members of African classes asked to participate. Through seeing these performances, the requests and need for the African culture, music and dance grew. On September 11, 1988 adult dancers and musicians reorganized as a non-profit organization adopting the name of the musicians. It was with the hope of securing grants to help promote the universal messages of Peace and Love through African Expressions. Dancers were added to Chihamba and the name changed to Chihamba of Dancescape, as a group with a deeper purpose. Chihamba was incorporated April 17, 1989.