Dancer and choreographer Kafayat Shafau, also referred to as Kaffy, has dropped clues about her experiences in the entertainment business, sharing the difficulties and sacrifices she had to make.
Kaffy revealed that it has been difficult for her to pursue a profession in dance as a woman in an interview with Saturday Beats.
She described times when she felt excluded and that people only noticed her at particular national gatherings or when she was given official tasks.
She also bemoaned the loss of friendships and the encouragement she had received from those who were unable to share her vision.
She said, “Taking on a career without any gender focus is already tough.
“As a dancer, the only place we were appreciated was when we were displaying for the National Troupe, or when were called by a governor for a national assignment.
“Dancing was not a mainstream career, neither was it commercially viable.
“Breaking into that door that did not exist was the main sacrifice for me, as well as the pain of losing family, friends and people around me. I was practically isolated.
“There even some people who initially supported me, but withdraw their support because they did not see what I was seeing.”
Kaffy also addressed the common perception of women in entertainment as mere sexual objects.
She said, “As a woman, one is often asked what value one brings to the table to be considered with one’s male peers.
“I struggled a lot with that, because while expressing myself, I had to deal with music directors, editors and different stakeholders who felt one’s opinion was not necessary.
“But, one of the things that helped me was the fact that I am highly educated and intellectual enough to express my ideas and implement them in ways that earned me respect. I was also hands on with whatever I said.”
