Dancestral Poem by Dane Hess Live

On closing night of our 2025 Spring Concert, dance company member Dane Hess shared this wonderful poem with the cast of over 40 artists. The poem continued to evolve past the night of this performance. Transcript of full poem below.

Poetry: Dane Hess
Dance: Lauren Wightman

Dancestral
By: Dane Hess, Lorin Hansen, Rosangela Silvestre and 2025 Samba Fogo team
“I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”---BMike Odums

White skirts raised
in praise of Yemanja
waves of love wash away my fears
leave the stage tasting tears
amazed by the beauty of it all
the call to join the roda
bumping bellies, taking flight
the birds in us unite
ground of earth
expanse of sky
inspiration and information combine
and we make our axe
give way to
Eshu
as he laughs
and cracks codes
of cosmos
leading back
to paths
we used to know
when u dance u never dance alone
bones of those long gone
reach out through fogo’s smoke
urging us to carry on
to remember
samba is resistance
so if they’re trying to erase your existence
because you’re queer, black, brown or woman
take up space
prove to ‘em
it’s your stage
you belong
sing the song of Oya’s rage
her roar in the storm
transforms fear into ferocity
agent of change
let us live in reciprocity
give as much as we take….or more
samba is generosity
can’t count fruits of all the seeds
this community has planted
from Peru, Brasil, Japan, Europe, Mexico and Canada
we’ve landed
here
@ the Rose
take a breath
your body knows
samba is earth, grounded and firm
breathe
your body sees
samba is water
fluid and free
inhale
samba is air
expansive, vast
exhale
samba is fire
light and heat
breathe
plant your feet
believe
we
are our ancestors’ wildest dreams
come true
move
without me, no you
without you, no me
we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams
we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams
be
like Oxossi
take aim
make justice your mark
notch your arrow
pull back the string
release
scream
each time you hear the bang of the drum beat
sounds of souls set free
to be who they’re meant to be
ALMAS LIVRES
free beings being free
weep
when you see
Xango’s flames leap
inviting us to ignite, reclaim lost heat
awaken from cold sleep to dance by the fogo, the fire
one candle can light a thousand
so let yours burn brighter
let your soul glide lighter
let your blood flow faster
let your bones know laughter
e um samba
e um fogo, a fire
one candle can light a thousand
so let yours burn brighter
e um samba
e um fogo, a fire
one candle can light a thousand
so let yours burn brighter