Asadata Dafora

Austin Dafora Horton (4 August 1890 – 4 March 1965), also known as Asadata Dafora, was a Sierra Leonean multidisciplinary musician. He was one of the first Africans to introduce African drumming music to the United States, beginning in the early 1930s. His artistic endeavours spanned multiple disciplines, but he is best remembered for his work in dance and music.

Asadata Dafora
Birth nameAustin Dafora Horton
Born(1890-08-04)4 August 1890
Freetown, British Sierra Leone
Died4 March 1965(1965-03-04) (aged 74)
Harlem, New York City
GenresAfrican drum music, dance music
Occupation(s)Songwriter, producer, social activist
Years active1929–1960

Dafora was a multifaceted artist, talented in opera and concert singing, dancing, choreographing and composing. In 1934, Dafora created Kykunkor (The Witch Woman), a successful musical/drama production using authentic African music and dance and is considered one of the pioneers of black dance in America.

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