CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS

From his youth until his death Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu I, had consistently laid the foundations of his cultural heritage in the United States. He lived his culture. On one of his earliest trips to Africa, Nana Dinizulu was welcomed into the traditional society in Ghana. As a result he was enstooled in Ghana as Omanhene and Okomfohene of the Akans in America in 1965. He received numerous other titles as well. His genuine love and admiration for his culture and people gained him recognition and respect from Africans in America and abroad. One word most often used to describe Nana Dinizulu was consistent. He never wavered from his belief and what he needed to do to promote African culture. Nana laid the foundation for thousands of people to be introduced to African culture. He was a lecturer on African dance and music at Queens College and Bronx Community College in New York City. He organized and produced the African American Day celebration from 1964 to 1970 at Queensbridge park in Queens, New York City. He was the first to privately organize charter flights to Africa via Trans International Airways from 1971 to 1975.

The first Odwira, the African New Year, was celebrated in 1968 organized by Nana Yao. Nana Dinizulu has preserved the history and traditions of Africa. He was a renowned photographer for Jet magazine and Ebony. He recorded several albums on African music and songs. He also authored and published books about the Akan culture. Nana Yao utilized both written and oral traditions preserving African culture. He was an example of an African in America who never relinquished his connection to Africa. The Legacy he left for us holds steadfast to the traditions of our ancestors. Although Nana Yao has physically left us, the institutions he established and the people his spirit touched continue to be a part of his living Legacy. That Legacy continues to touch Africans and the diaspora and will continue to touch generations of Africans born in America who continue striving to maintain their African identity. Nana says, “We must be committed to our culture at all times, wherever we are, and others will respect us.”

Nana Yao is the realization of a strong, rich African culture here in America.

DINIZULU AND HIS AFRICAN DANCERS, DRUMMERS AND SINGERS

The Dinizulu African Dancers Drummers and singers founded by the late Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu, has been a professional dance company since the 1950s. The company performed throughout the tri-state area, along the Eastern Seaboard, the South, Midwest and throughout the country. The company also performed in West Africa and Trinidad-Tobago and received applause, appreciation and respect. The company also appeared on many radio and television shows in America and West Africa.

The Dinizulu dances originated mostly from West Africa, but include not only Central Africa but South Africa as well. The company performed for a number of African dignitaries and heads of state such as Kenneth Kaunda, president of Zambia, Sekou Toure, president of Guinea, the late Tom Mboya of Kenya, and Dr. Hasting Banda of Malawi. For two consecutive years the company appeared at the New York City World's Fair African Pavilion. For 21 years, the company performed at the Cooper Union Great Hall. Through the Showcase Presentations and under the Title-I programs of New York City, young school-age children of diverse ethnic backgrounds have received their first introduction to African culture through the Dinizulu tradition.

Throughout his long career in African dance and culture, Nana Dinizulu travelled numerous times to Africa. Through research here and in Africa, Nana was able to develop and present a repertoire of African music, dance and song that reflect the attitudes, character and intellect of the people they represent. The Dinizulu African Dancers, Drummers and Singers legacy continues with the Dinizulu Cultural Arts Institute (DCAI) offering dance classes in the “Dinizulu Technique”, as well as dances from other areas of Africa and the diaspora under the direction of Nana Esi Dinizulu and Nana Adzua D. Opare, former artistic director and dance captain, respectfully. Our participants learn the dances that were originally performed by the company. After the completion of our Master Dance Classes, a concert is performed, presenting the accomplishments of our participants. These performances have been presented numerous times with rave reviews. Our participants experience the physical and technical aspects and studying African dance and music for a stage production. At the end the participants will fulfill a challenge and experience self-confidence. The Dinizulu African Dancers Drummers and Singers legacy will continue to be passed on from one generation to the next.