Watch Njinga The Queen King; The Return Of A Warrior 6h154x

Njinga ruled 17th century Ndongo - now Angola - as 'king' because tribal custom forbade her to rule as a woman. Flowing freely between time periods, the play traces the diaspora of Njinga's people to Brazil and the United States. Oliveros' score along with the use of electronics and spatialization, provides an environment for the traditional African music, heightening the drama. As storytelling is a deeply-rooted element of African culture, Njinga features two Kilunda (spirit) characters who step in and out of the action, leading the viewers through the play. The final element in the mix is capoeira, the liquid, hybrid movement form - self-defense as dance - which has its roots in Angola and flourishes today in Brazil. This recording is based on the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Next Wave Festival performances of 1993. 165ma