November 10, 1994: Vol26n10: OBITUARY

Pearl Primus, dance
pioneer, former director of Cora P. Maloney College
Pearl Primus, an internationally known dancer, choreographer and
anthropologist, died Oct. 29 at her home in New Rochelle, N.Y. Primus,
74, was director of Cora P. Maloney College at UB from 1982-84.
	  Following studies in Hunter College, Columbia University and
City College of New York, where she earned her doctorate in
educational sociology and anthropology, Primus did extensive research
in Africa. She lived with the people of African villages and studied
their customs and dances.
	"Movement is language," she said in a 1983 Reporter article.
"In Africa, you're tested to see how you are, how you move. When I
teach a dance class, I can understand more about you than you do." A
native of Trinidad, Primus founded the Pearl Primus Dance Language
Institute in New York City with her husband,  dancer Percival S.
Borde. Primus, who toured with "Show Boat," danced in opera and on
Broadway.
	Performance was part of the dancer's plan to stress the arts
at UB as a means of communication. "People who remove themselves from
other world peoples are selling themselves short," she told the
Reporter. "Through the arts, people can understand other people." 
	While at UB, Primus lived in the dorms, to get in touch with
the students. "I feel as if I'm surrounded by life," she said at that
time. "I sleep well in the midst of stereos. I wouldn't want an
off-campus apartment now. I'd be too lonely." She wore traditional
flowing African dress made by her adopted sisters in Nigeria. "I don't
study culture," Primus said. "I become a part of it."
	One of Primus's best known works was "Strange Fruit," a
woman's reaction to lynching. 
	Two of her dances, "The Wedding" and "Fanga," based on African
ceremony, were performed in Lincoln Center by the Alvin Ailey Dance
Company. "Fanga" also was performed at UB, with Primus herself dancing
the ballet with Department of Theatre and Dance personnel. o