Hakeem Onibudo in North Africa
Breakdancing is experiencing a resurgence in North Africa, and a British Council project is helping to support b-boys and dancers
Breakdancing was highly disapproved during the Ben Ali regime in Tunisia. However, since the ousting of the president in 2011, b-boys appropriated the streets with more determination to dance and express their passion. Say It through Breakdancing is an initiative aimed at taking the breakdancing art-form beyond the battle spirit.
The project works with a group of 10 breakdancers from Morocco (4), Algeria (3), Tunisia (2) and Libya (1), providing them with a platform to tell their own stories, and explore their hopes and dreams, at a time when the region is undergoing major social, political and economic change.
The project was developed by the British Council in partnership with Art Solution led by Chouaib Brik from Tunisia and Hakeem Onibudo from Impact Dance, UK. It also involves worldwide recognised UK based artist Ereson Catipon aka B-Boy Mouse, and from Tunisia beatmaker Saif Abid aka Steve Abidove and fashion designer Salah Barka.
Phase 1: 21-27 March 2014: Tunisia
Initial phase carried out by Hakeem Onibudo
Hakeem Onibudo was identified to undertake a research and mapping exercise to Tunisia in March 2014 to coincide with the North African B-Boys Championships.
Phase 2: 11 – 24 August 2014: Tunisia
Say It Through Breakdancing workshop for b-boys – collaboration between Hakeem Onibudo and UK dancers Lee Griffiths, Hakim Saber and Anthony Duncan. This phase takes the form of an intensive workshop and a mini-showcasing of work in progress on Saturday 23 August.
Phase 3: 11-14 September 2014: Southbank Centre, London
Performance by the B-Boy crew from Tunisia as part of the Africa Utopia season – collaboration between Hakeem Onibudo and UK dancers Lee Griffiths, Hakim Saber and Anthony Duncan. Hakeem has also arranged for the b-boy crew to deliver a workshop for UK dancers and young people at Greenwich Dance Agency on 13 September
