Battle brings Art of Black Dance to the world

By Wanda Morales
Watching the movement of the shells woven into her colorfully decorated and braided hair, one can almost feel the power of dance and rhythm as thunderous African drums create a musical beat.

The result of this beat? A metrical arrangement of notes that moves the human spirit. Quickly one sees that De Ama Battle is truly an artist when she says, "Dance is life, an expression of life."

Battle dance historian, educator and artist is the founder of the Art of Black Dance and Music Inc. in Somerville. Her years of touring as a professional dancer and her experience in productions abroad have led her to an unfailing commitment to teach aspiring dancers.

Originally, she set out to start a small dance group of neighborhood children that became a family business with her husband, Edward Battle, and son, Michael "Kyp" Battle, who also has his own dance company. With this group, "Black Heritage Drummers and Dancers," she paved the way to the foundation of a program aimed at expanding education into a multicultural focus. In 1975, she founded the Art of Black Dance and Music, giving a chance for many to experience the art form she loves most: dance. She then had the opportunity to teach others, a task she wanted to accomplish since she began dancing at the age of 8.

Her father and aunt's love for dance broadened her interest to the point where she "patterned them until I could dance. I then began to dance on my own."
Living around dance, African culture and music helped reinforce Battle's career goals.

To her, dance is an art form of spiritual cleansing. "I always wanted to be a dancer. It just seemed like the best way of expressing myself. I dance for satisfaction, because I get to move and create my own beautiful scenes."

The Art of Black Dance and Music has been successful. Battle said traveling abroad for production to many places such as Ghana, Senegal and Gambia in Africa , Brazil, the West Indies and Cuba, gave her an incomparable experience.

The program has also reached many audiences and associations, including the prime minister of Jamaica, the World Peace Conference with Bob Marley, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the opening of the International Festival of the Arts in Nairobi, Kenya.

Battle has also won many prestigious awards, such as Black Legislative Caucus Arts and Humanities Award, Harriet Wigfall Community Service Award, Elliot Norton Award, the League of Afro-American Women Award and many others.
Besides traveling, the Art of Black Dance and Music also reaches audiences through school programs. Her main goal is to "reach more students through school and inner city programs, who may come from the streets, and teach them dance appreciation."

Battle's program is geared not only toward African-Americans but open to all ethnicities.

"Everyone should be involved. The more youth of any color we can get off the street the better," she said.

To Battle, dance is important, like a way of life and meaning, in which she learns more every day.

"Dance is a way for people to understand themselves. Dance acts like a pyschologist and a psychiatrist. Sometimes it serves as therapy," Battle said.

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