Circassian, US artists take the stage in cultural exchange

AMMAN — A US music group and Circassian dance troupe Al Jeel Al Jadeed (The New Generation) on Wednesday performed at the Cultural Palace in Amman as part of a cultural exchange programme between Jordan and the US. 

The five-member US group, the Exchange, held its first public show in Jordan, performing a “new kind” of music using solely the performers’ voices, group member Christopher Diaz told The Jordan Times.  

“All the music you hear tonight is performed completely from our five voices, no instruments or tracks playing. All people can use their voices and we find that it is one of the most direct and effective ways to create relationships between people and to hopefully exchange culture, ideas and music,” Diaz said ahead of the performance.  

He noted that this art form is a challenge as each performer has to fully rely on each other. 

“It is an art form that demands a lot of trust and, over time, we have learned to work together,” the American artiste explained. 

Tamber Varouqa, a member of the management of Al Jeel Al Jadeed Club, said the show was a good channel for cultural exchange between Jordan and the US. 

Varouqa stressed the importance of showing Jordan’s heritage to the public, and to reflect on Circassians’ history and culture, which they inherited from their ancestors from the Caucasus. 

“We also highlighted the Circassian cause through our dancing performances,” he added. 

Yazan Ossamah, who has been a member of the dance group for six years, described dancing with the group as a “source of pride”.  

“Since we were young, we have been attracted to the Circassian dance because it is part of our culture and we represent our heritage through dancing,” the 20-year-old added.