Nos Bida

About the dance performance Nos Bida

Instead of telling one story from a single perspective, Nos Bida asks what happens when we make space for multiple truths. How do different bodies carry ancestral memory and how do they carry resistance? How can we navigate this shared space, where we honour our differences while connecting through shared pain and resilience?

For the research of Nos Bida, Shaquille travels to Senegal, Ghana and Curaçao to conduct embodied research into their African ancestry. They visit the Dagara tribe, who live between Ghana and Burkina Faso. The Dagara are a unique community that values life based on their connection to the elements and their ancestors. Shaquille is intrigued by their view on mental health: they believe that people experiencing psychological challenges are powerful beings who play an important role in society. This insight enriches Shaquille’s own practice and lived experience of mental health.

Part of the research focuses on dance, music and vibration, and various sites known as the Door of No Return are visited. Finally, interviews are conducted with key experts to further deepen the research.