Alvin Ailey's I'Ve Been Buked

What does the section “I’ve Been Buked” (in Pilgrim of Sorrow) from the work Revelations reveal about Alvin Ailey’s “Blood Memories”?

Alvin Ailey was a well respected African American dancer and choreographer, with part of his success due to his unique movements and ideas which were inspired by the ‘blood memories’ of his childhood. Ailey had many ‘blood memories’ and shared them through his choreography. The ‘blood memories’ that are revealed in this dance include how Ailey relied on his faith and religion growing up, that unity was of huge importance in his community and that freedom is all the black communities sought whilst suffering from harsh racial discrimination. ‘Pilgrim of Sorrow’, the first section of ‘Revelations’- Ailey’s greatest work, is based on these ‘blood memories’ of his childhood and are clearly revealed within the first dance “I’ve been Buked” through the stylised and sophisticated choice of movement and non-movement components.

“I’ve Been Buked” was set and choreographed to traditional, gospel and spiritual music to reflect Ailey’s blood memories of attending church as a young boy. Alvin Ailey felt that “church was always very important, very theatrical, very intense” (Alvin Ailey, http://www.icelebz.com/quotes/alvin_ailey/) which is why these feelings were expressed through his work. The gospel music of this dance represents how the small churches of the black communities were very spiritual and were constantly filled with gospel voices. Not only the music, but particular movements also relate to Ailey’s ‘blood memories’ of being crammed into a small church. Movements, such as when the dancers have both hands together (palm to palm) at chest height which are then raised to the of the full extent arms vertically above, help to reveal these memories as they represent hands praying in church. Their hands are then separated and slowly unfolded in front of the dancers with their fingers are spread out with great force and emotion. This...