American Enstooled Queenmother

An American artist has been enstooled Queenmother of the Arts in Accra. Miss Judith Jamison whose stool name is Naa Aquayehe Shika is Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey Company in America.

The enstoolment ceremony, performed by the Wulomo of the Ga Traditional Area, forms part of the National Theatre's "Women in the Arts" programme to celebrate the artistic endeavours and achievements of African women.

Professor J.H. Nketia of the School of Performing Arts, Mr. David Queen, Public Affairs Officer of the American Embassy and students of the School of Performing Arts were at the ceremony.

Ms. Jamison is an internationally recognised teacher and lecturer. She became a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (AAADT) in 1965 and danced with the company for 15 years. She was appointed the Artistic Director in 1989 and was awarded the Kennedy Center Honour in 1999 in recognition of her lifetime contribution to American culture through performing arts.

President George Bush recently honoured her with the National Medal of Arts, the most prestigious award presented to artists in the US.

The AAADT was founded in 1958 to preserve unique black cultural expression and the enrichment of the American modern dance heritage.

The National Dance Company and Noyam performed at the ceremony with choreography directed by Nii Yartey.