Accra, (Greater Accra) .9 Nov. A South Korean cultural ensemble last night thrilled a large audience at the National theatre to traditional dance and music of sheer elegance and vigour. The ensemble, which is touring Africa, is made up of the Purip’ae percussion troupe and Sejong Korean traditional dance troupe, which all belong to Korean Foundation, established in 1991 to carry out international cultural and academic exchanges. They were supported at the show by a Ghanaian troupe of the Centre of African Music and Dance based at Kokrobite, near Accra, which also rose to the occasion, portraying dexterity in African culture. The two groups literally lifted the audience up in thunderous applause in the various stages of their performances. The Koreans started their show with ‘Samulnori’, a very lively and exhilarating instrumental four-percussion ensemble in which each instrumentalist’s speciality was fully displayed through an exciting variety of rhythms. They also did the floral crown dance, also known as ‘Chook Yon Mu’ (celebration dance), which was performed at the royal court during the Choson dynasty between 1392 and 1910.
