YEMAYA
Puppet Designer: Lisa Sturz assisted by Winnie Barrett

Chorography by Debra Roberts and Lisa Sturz

Lead soloist and Director of the Drummer Ensemble: Sue Ford

Choral Director: Debbie Nordine

Puppets created and performed by Womansong of Asheville, a community chorus dedicated to the common spirit of women working and singing together.

Yemaya, is considered to be the Mother of all having given birth to the other gods known as Orisas in the Yoruban tradition. She is revered as the Queen of the Sea and embodies both the calm and turbulent aspects of the Great Ocean. To surrender to her is to dissolve your troubles in the water of her embrace
Seven bodies are clustered together as one being. The lead vocalist chants a haunting invocation, as the figure’s face rises and becomes the moon. The chorus answers the call and the figures break apart into their seven aspects. They dance and give praise to the sea and the event of life. As the music gets more melodic, the seven figures turn and stretch out their arms becoming the sea herself. Fish and animals play in the waves.
The drummers pick up the beat and the puppets break out into African inspired dance movements and whirling solos. The community of singers interact with the puppet figures and the celebration of Yemaya is in full bloom.