Known for bringing her native country, Trinidad, to the U.S., Pearl Primus was influenced by racial experiences going on in and around her life to create beautiful and meaningful dances. When Primus decided that she wanted to study African Anthropology, she was denied because of her race. Not having a degree in Anthropology did not stop her from learning about African dance and culture. In 1943, Primus choreographed her first piece entitled African Ceremonial, which was based on her interest in her heritage. Though her mother had taught her some of her country’s native dances at a young age, she wanted to dig deeper into her African roots. So in order to do research for the dance, she spoke to many African friends, went to museums, and read numerous books about African culture.…show more content… Primus was always influenced by what was happening during that time period in the black community, and used those events for her dances. Primus choreographed a piece entitled Strange Fruit, based on a women’s opinion on lynching. She also choreographed a dance called Michael, Row your Boat, about the bombing of churches in Birmingham, Alabama. When working at Café Society Downtown, Primus created pieces for both white and black people to watch and understand in a deep and emotional way. Some of those dances included, Jim Crow Train, Ague, Study in Nothing, and The Negro Speaks of Rivers. By making pieces like these, she was allowed to create yet another creative voice for the black
