The legend of Sikan or Sikanekue speaks of a girl who was the daughter of Iyamba, and was from the kingdom of Efor. One day Sikan went to the river to get water. While she was gathering water, she unintentionally trapped the sacred fish, Tanze, within her water vessel. Tanze was considered the voice of Abasi, their god and supreme deity.
The punishment for such an aberrant act was death and therefore Sikans life was sacrificed. So that Abasi could manifest once again, Sikans skin would be used to cover a sacred drum called the Ekwe.
It was believed that the sounds created on this drum represented the voice of god speaking through the percussive sounds transmitted on Sikans skin.
Through the centuries women like Sikan have been iconized; capable of breaking restrictive barriers that society has imposed since creation, while similarly capable of providing harmony, determination, and compassion.
Sikan was fouded in 2008. To help women of the community with spiritual/ emotional support through dance. It is now inclusive of all genders with the same purpose.
Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project repertoire consists of Afrocuban Dances (Derived from African roots in Cuba as Bantu,Yoruba, Ewe-Fon, Carabali, and Afro-Haitian) and the different Traditional Popular rhythms as Rumba complex, Conga and Comparza from the Cuban Carnival a mixture of Spanish European and African influences by way of the 19 century “Solares Habaneros”. The pieces have been carefully elaborated to express Afrocuban identity through the cadence of the dances, rhythms, and songs. In its entirety the production will convey the mysticism, dynamism, intensity, sensuality and passion of Cuban Folklore.
Sikan will also take the audience on a journey of traditional Cuban salon dances including Danzon, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Son and Casino. The program ends with the Havana Carnival.
Some of the stages Sikan has performed at:
Albizu University
Miami Beach Convention Center
Adriane Arts Performing Center
Art Basel
Little Haití Cultural Complex
University of Boulder
New Times Iron Fork
Gulf Coast Folklife Festival
FIU
Washington Dc University
Miami Salsa Congres
Atlanta Salsa Congress
Cuba 8 Cultural Center