In the News March 30

46th Anniversary of Palestinian Land Day

Jerusalema Dance Challenge

The Jerusalema Dance Challenge has reverberated around the world since it first came on the scene in 2019. This rendering by the Popular Art Centre (PAC), partnered with South African Palestine solidarity groups is the best and fuses traditional African dance movements (Cameroonian) with Palestinian folkloric dance (Dabkeh). It is a joyous celebration of the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people.

The song Jerusalema originated as a pop song in 2019 by Master KG, a 24 year old South Africa-based DJ. It was produced in Zulu, sung by Nomcebo Zikode and quickly became an unofficial African Anthem. Set to dance by an Angolan dance troop, Fenomenos do Semba, it soon went global and morphed into a dance challenge taken up worldwide, primarily as an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Groups of workers and students across Canada, from Halifax to Victoria and as far north as Churchill, Manitoba have posted their videos. Likewise in Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, Morocco and many more countries dance groups and others have taken up the challenge.

The Popular Art Centre rendering brought together 130 Dancers from five Palestinian governorates: African Community Society (Jerusalem), Watan Dance Troupe (Gaza), Baladi Center for Culture & Arts (Bethlehem), El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe (Ramallah & El-Bireh), Naqsh Popular Art Troupe (Jenin), AfroDabke group / PAC (Ramallah & El-Bireh).

Jerusalema lyrics:

Oh Jerusalem, our Heaven on Fire
We are so near, and yet so far
Their walls and siege keep us apart

Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem, our Heaven on Fire
We long to walk your ancient alleys
We dream of the sight of your domes
The olive trees in your valleys
And the warmth of your homes

Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem, our Heaven on Fire
Your freedom is our desire
We will cross the barbed wire
We will resist, we won’t tire
We will sing for your glory in choir
Our city of Peace, our Heaven on fire.

TML Daily, posted March 30, 2022.