Alafia’s In the House

Category: Processional chant
Written by: Azizi Powell; ©1997 Azizi Powell

Alafia’s in the house now.
            Who?  Who?
            Alafia’s in the house now.
            What do we do?
            We sing Alafia.
            Drum Alafia.
            Stomp our feet and
            Clap our hands.
            And dance Alafia.

Alafia’s in the house now.
            Who?  Who?
            Alafia’s in the house now.
            What do we do?
            We turn around
            and touch the ground
            Stomp our feet and
            Clap our hands.
            And dance Alafia.

            Alafia’s in the house now.
            Who?  Who?
            Alafia’s in the house now.
            What do we do?
            We reach up high
            and touch the sky
            Stomp our feet and
            Clap our hands.
            And dance Alafia.
           
            Alafia’s in the house now.
            Who?  Who?
            Alafia’s in the house now.
            Who?  Who?
         (repeat as often as you wish)

Alafia Children’s Ensemble is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area after school group for girls and boys 5-12 years of age that I founded and directed from 1997-2002. "Alafia" is an African greeting word (Yoruba, Nigeria). "Alafia" is also an Arabic word for health, strength, and vitality.  Alafia Children's Ensemble's mission is to explore the creative potential of street rhymes & chants. When the group was in operation, the adult leaders taught traditional & revised African American games songs, and originally composed chants. Children were encouraged to share the songs, chants, and rhymes that they knew, and several were added to the Alafia performance repertoire. A master drummer affiliated with Alafia Children's Ensemble also taught Djembe drumming to boys and girls ages 9-12 years. The group usually performed its uptempo foot stomping and handclapping material to the accompaniment of a Djembe African drum, and an electric key board.

"Alafia’s In the House" is a unison chant that is performed by Alafia Children’s Ensemble as they entered into a performance area.  The words to this chant provide information about Alafia Children Ensemble's activities.  The group is in a vertical line and enters stepping  to the beat . When they arrive in the performance area, the children form a circle or a semi-circle and act out the motions indicated in the chant.

Children developed and reinforced their self-confidence and self-esteem by participating in this group. This chant and some of the other original chants performed by the group are also good for building group esteem.

For more information on Alafia Children's Ensemble, visit the About Us section. 

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