[13] With an enlarged range of interest, Primus began to conduct some field studies. [14] These pieces were based on the African rituals Primus experienced during her travels. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The late Pearl Primus was a dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist who helped bring the beauty of African dance to American audiences. This month we pay tribute to Pearl Primus, a dancer, anthropologist, choreographer, teacher and – ultimately – a doctor who lived from Nov. 29, 1919 – Oct. 29, 1994. As an artist/ educator, Primus taught at a number of universities during her career including NYU, Hunter College, the State University of New York at Purchase, the College of New Rochelle, Iona College, the State University of New York at Buffalo, Howard University, the Five Colleges consortium in Massachusetts. Pearl Primus, dancer and choreographer, was born on November 29th, 1919, in Trinidad. The poem addressed the inequalities and injustices imposed on the black community, while introducing comparisons between the ancestry of Black people to four major rivers. Pearl Primus (1919-1994) was an African-American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and teacher. On November 29 th, 1919, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, a baby girl was born to Edward and Emily Primus; they would name her Pearl Eileen. BECKET -- Born in Trinidad in 1919, raised in New York City and honored across the globe, Pearl Primus is a legend whose legacy lives on. She based the dance on a legend from the Belgian Congo, about a priest who performed a fertility ritual until he collapsed and vanished. In 1940 while studying at Hunter College, she took up dance and won a scholarship with the left-leaning New Dance Group. [19][23], Additionally, Primus and the late Percival Borde, her husband and partner, conducted research with the Liberian Konama Kende Performing Arts Center to establish a performing arts center, and with a Rebekah Harkness Foundation grant to organize and direct dance performances in several counties during the period of 1959 to 1962. Primus played an important role in the presentation of African dance to American audiences. Pearl Primus holds great compassion and seeks to be of service to others. Born in Trinidad and raised in the United States, Primus was a pre-med graduate of Hunter College who, unable to find a laboratory job, applied to the National Youth … Pearl Primus, 74, the Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher who created for Americans an awareness of the riches of African and Caribbean culture, died after a short illness in New Rochelle, New York, on October 29, 1994. She attended Hunter College where she majored in biology and graduated in 1940. Although Pearl Primus was born in Trinidad and grew up in New York City, she identified strongly with her African heritage from a young age. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. She is a healer, and capable of giving comfort to those in need - she will frequently offer a shoulder for others to cry on. She grew up in New York City but was fascinated by African culture, dance, and spirituality. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Pearl Primus was two years old when she moved with her parents, Edward Primus and Emily Jackson, to New York City in 1921. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. She was a trained anthropologist and dancer and traveled to … She grew up in New York City but was fascinated by African culture, dance, and spirituality. Primus fully engulfed herself in the experience by attending over seventy churches and picking cotton with the sharecroppers. [15] Primus’ dance to this poem boldly acknowledged the strength and wisdom of African Americans through periods of freedom and enslavement. She also staged The Wedding created in 1961. -- Week's Programs", "Langston Hughes, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers, "Dr. Pearl Primus, choreographer, dancer and anthropologist", "Dances of Sorrow, Dances of Hope : The work of Pearl Primus finds a natural place in a special program of historic modern dances for women. [21] As an anthropologist, she conducted cultural projects in Europe, Africa and America for such organizations as the Ford Foundation, US Office of Education, New York University, Universalist Unitarian Service Committee, Julius Rosenwald Foundation, New York State Office of Education, and the Council for the Arts in Westchester. [13] These similarities show that Primus’ style, themes, and body type promoted the display of Black culture within the dance community. Then, she was asked to choreograph a Broadway production called Calypso whose title became Caribbean Carnival. Primus’ exposure to this newfound form of activism encouraged the themes of social protest found in her works. Some history books say November 29, 1919. For 10 months her energy and emotion commanded the stage, along with her stunning five-foot-high jumps. Primus would choreograph based on imagining the movement of something she observed, such as an African sculpture. Settling in New York City, the Primus family continued to hold values and traditions true to their Trinidadian heritage. Primus died from diabetes at her home in New Rochelle, New York on October 29, 1994. This thoroughly researched composition was presented along with Strange Fruit, Rock Daniel, and Hard Time Blues, at her debut performance on February 14, 1943, at the 92nd Street YMHA. Some history books say November 29, 1919. [8] Amongst these influencers, Dafora's influence on Primus has been largely ignored by historians and unmentioned by Primus. Primus was born in Trinidad but her family immigrated to New York City when she was two years old. Her many works ‘Strange Fruit’, ‘Negro Speaks of Rivers’, ‘Hard Time Blues’, and more spoke on very socially important topics. Pearl Primus (1919-1994) was an African-American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and teacher. Corrections? Many choreographers, such as Jawolle Willa Jo Zollar, created projects inspired by Primus’ work. Grab a copy of our NEW encyclopedia for Kids! [19] During her travels in the villages of Africa, Primus was declared a man so that she could learn the dances only assigned to males. Pearl Eileen Primus was born November 29, 1919 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. And performance City when she was the group 's performance the cultural heritage the... Group in 1941, she took up dance and the African rituals experienced! 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