PRODUCTION
We believe that as ambassadors of African culture, we must be fully engaged in telling our stories in meaningful ways that enrich our community and provide educational and cultural awareness programs to our fellow citizens. Our programs are inclusive and they allow for all members within our community to celebrate one another. Cheza Nami Foundation presents Culture Connect: A Cultural Safari with African & Diaspora Performances and Dialogue. Culture Connect is an an interactive live performance by the Cheza Nami Ensemble that will be followed by a roundtable elevating conversations with Salaton Ole Ntutu of Maji Moto Cultural Camp in Kenya.
The Cheza Nami Ensemble will perform “Road to the Drum”, a collaborative piece celebrating the power of African Roots through drums, song, and dance. The performance will also explore the rich musical legacy and cultures across the African diaspora, including Brazil, Burkina Faso, Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, and Senegal. The excerpt highlights the individual accomplishments of the performers from these countries while also reinforcing Ubuntu and the belief that we are stronger together.
After the performance, attendees will be treated to a conversation with Salaton Ole Ntutu who will discuss Maasai life and his desire to preserve the culture and environment. His initiatives include a focus on conservation that centers around encouraging self-sufficiency for the Maasai through land acquisitions, developing a tourism-based economy, and the support of educational programs.
Attendees can also browse a mini-market which will be located in the lobby of the Bankhead Theater. Along with wares and crafts from the Maji Moto Cultural Camp, the artist Wawi Amasha will also have select artwork and one-of-a-kind jewelry available for purchase. Be sure to grab a glass of one of the delicious wines from vineyards across South Africa at concessions.
About Culture Connect and “Road to the Drum”
Culture Connect is a special event designed to highlight the diverse musical and cultural styles of various artists from within the African Diaspora while also encouraging a deeper understanding of the spirit of Ubuntu — the belief that “I am, because you are.”
Produced by:
Catherine (Ciiku) Ndungu-Case
Artistic Director:
Dandha Da Hora
The Cheza Nami Ensemble will perform “Road to the Drum”, a collaborative piece celebrating the power of African Roots through drums, song, and dance. The performance will also explore the rich musical legacy and cultures across the African diaspora, including Brazil, Burkina Faso, Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, and Senegal. The excerpt highlights the individual accomplishments of the performers from these countries while also reinforcing Ubuntu and the belief that we are stronger together.
After the performance, attendees will be treated to a conversation with Salaton Ole Ntutu who will discuss Maasai life and his desire to preserve the culture and environment. His initiatives include a focus on conservation that centers around encouraging self-sufficiency for the Maasai through land acquisitions, developing a tourism-based economy, and the support of educational programs.
Attendees can also browse a mini-market which will be located in the lobby of the Bankhead Theater. Along with wares and crafts from the Maji Moto Cultural Camp, the artist Wawi Amasha will also have select artwork and one-of-a-kind jewelry available for purchase. Be sure to grab a glass of one of the delicious wines from vineyards across South Africa at concessions.
About Culture Connect and “Road to the Drum”
Culture Connect is a special event designed to highlight the diverse musical and cultural styles of various artists from within the African Diaspora while also encouraging a deeper understanding of the spirit of Ubuntu — the belief that “I am, because you are.”
Produced by:
Catherine (Ciiku) Ndungu-Case
Artistic Director:
Dandha Da Hora
ROAD TO THE DRUM COLLABORATORS (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
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SHOW NOTES
USA, Kenya, Brazil & Mali/Burkina Faso
Feminine Power of African Roots in America: This piece celebrates the shared journey of four women from distinct backgrounds who found a common voice through their shared interest to promote their cultures to local communities. This piece also reminds us to be proud of who we are and where we come from. Regardless of our backgrounds, we can find ways to coexist with one another when we find our common ground
Collaboration: Annie Stafford, Ciiku Ndungu-Case, Dandha Da Hora, Mandjou Kone
Guinea and Mali
The songs of West Africa: Bringing together the rich sounds of west African percussions. Mohamed Bangoura shares the Ngongoma, a guinea thumb piano. This traditional instrument accompanies Mohamed's song "Walibo", to celebrate his passion for supporting his family through his hard work. Mandjou helps to elevate this song with the Tama - a west African talking drum. Listen to this small but mighty instrument that was the very first cell phone. Mohamed Kouyate, connects Mali and Guinea with the Guinea Bala, a gourd-resonated xylophone, a type of struck idiophone. It is closely associated with the neighbouring Mandé, Senoufo and Gur peoples of West Africa, particularly the Guinean branch of the Mandinka ethnic group, but is now found across West Africa from Guinea to Mali.
Collaboration: Mohamed Bangoura, Mandjou Kone, Mohamed Kouyate. Dancers: Dandha Da hora, Loubayi Arnaud, Papiba Godinho
Interlude
Brazil
Berimabau: An Afro-Brazilian musical instrument with a gourd resonator and a single steel wire stretched across a long pole or stick. The Berimbau is played in Capoeira which is an Afro-Brazillian martial art. Papiba takes us on a journey that started in Africa and continues in Brazil.
Maculelê: An art of self defense disguised as dance, Maculelê was practiced by Afro Brazilian Freedom Fighters and is danced with sticks within a roda (circle) of people. The atabaque drum is played and Maculelê songs are sung. People in the roda each have a pair or wooden sticks traditionally made from biriba wood from Brazil. The sticks, called grimas, are used to hit to the beat of the drum. The two people in the roda play and dance to the rhythm. They hit their sticks together for three beats and on every fourth beat, they hit each other’s sticks held by the right hand. The dance is a part of the tradition of Capoeira. During performances, performers traditionally wear grass skirts and some dancers play with machetes instead of wooden sticks. Maculelê played a crucial role in the Afro Brazilian resistance to enslavement and invokes the continuing struggle for liberation.
Collaboration: Abel Damasceno, Papiba Godinho. Dancers: Dandha Da hora, Loubayi Arnaud, Papiba Godinho, Mohamed Bangoura. Musicians: Mohamed Kouoyate
Kenya
Bringing us together in unison with a song of cheer and community. Say "Eloya" with us!
Congo Brazaville
Esombi: Esombi is a hunting dance to celebrate the efforts of the community after a successful hunt. The community will celebrate with a big feast "Mbongui". Everyone in the community contributes to this process, and everyone celebrates together. The Ngoma drums. made out of a special tree calles Musenga in Congo Brazaville, unites everyone in beautiful dance and music
Choreographer: Loubayi Arnaud. Dancers: Dandha Da hora, Mandjou Kone, Musicians: Mohamed Kouyate, Abel Damansceno, Pabipa Gondinho, Ciiku Ndungu-Case
Brazil
Canto Das Yabas/Swing Da Cor: Yabas are the female Orishas (the Yoruban devine entities) who guide and protect. The saxophone here is connecting us all. WE are artists from Africa and the Diaspora who have made USA our home. This piece symbolizes our contributions to our communities and pays homage to the strength and resilience of Africans in the new world.
Soloist: Dandha Da Hora. Mucisians: Abel Damansceno, Pabipa Gondinho, Ann Stafford
USA, Kenya, Guinea, Mali/Burkina Faso, Brazil, Congo Brazaville
Road to the drum: A collaborative piece celebrating the power of African Roots through drums, song, and dance. The performance will also explore the rich musical legacy and cultures across the African diaspora, including Brazil, Burkina Faso, Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, and Senegal. The excerpt highlights the individual accomplishments of the performers from these countries while also reinforcing Ubuntu and the belief that we are stronger together
Feminine Power of African Roots in America: This piece celebrates the shared journey of four women from distinct backgrounds who found a common voice through their shared interest to promote their cultures to local communities. This piece also reminds us to be proud of who we are and where we come from. Regardless of our backgrounds, we can find ways to coexist with one another when we find our common ground
Collaboration: Annie Stafford, Ciiku Ndungu-Case, Dandha Da Hora, Mandjou Kone
Guinea and Mali
The songs of West Africa: Bringing together the rich sounds of west African percussions. Mohamed Bangoura shares the Ngongoma, a guinea thumb piano. This traditional instrument accompanies Mohamed's song "Walibo", to celebrate his passion for supporting his family through his hard work. Mandjou helps to elevate this song with the Tama - a west African talking drum. Listen to this small but mighty instrument that was the very first cell phone. Mohamed Kouyate, connects Mali and Guinea with the Guinea Bala, a gourd-resonated xylophone, a type of struck idiophone. It is closely associated with the neighbouring Mandé, Senoufo and Gur peoples of West Africa, particularly the Guinean branch of the Mandinka ethnic group, but is now found across West Africa from Guinea to Mali.
Collaboration: Mohamed Bangoura, Mandjou Kone, Mohamed Kouyate. Dancers: Dandha Da hora, Loubayi Arnaud, Papiba Godinho
Interlude
Brazil
Berimabau: An Afro-Brazilian musical instrument with a gourd resonator and a single steel wire stretched across a long pole or stick. The Berimbau is played in Capoeira which is an Afro-Brazillian martial art. Papiba takes us on a journey that started in Africa and continues in Brazil.
Maculelê: An art of self defense disguised as dance, Maculelê was practiced by Afro Brazilian Freedom Fighters and is danced with sticks within a roda (circle) of people. The atabaque drum is played and Maculelê songs are sung. People in the roda each have a pair or wooden sticks traditionally made from biriba wood from Brazil. The sticks, called grimas, are used to hit to the beat of the drum. The two people in the roda play and dance to the rhythm. They hit their sticks together for three beats and on every fourth beat, they hit each other’s sticks held by the right hand. The dance is a part of the tradition of Capoeira. During performances, performers traditionally wear grass skirts and some dancers play with machetes instead of wooden sticks. Maculelê played a crucial role in the Afro Brazilian resistance to enslavement and invokes the continuing struggle for liberation.
Collaboration: Abel Damasceno, Papiba Godinho. Dancers: Dandha Da hora, Loubayi Arnaud, Papiba Godinho, Mohamed Bangoura. Musicians: Mohamed Kouoyate
Kenya
Bringing us together in unison with a song of cheer and community. Say "Eloya" with us!
Congo Brazaville
Esombi: Esombi is a hunting dance to celebrate the efforts of the community after a successful hunt. The community will celebrate with a big feast "Mbongui". Everyone in the community contributes to this process, and everyone celebrates together. The Ngoma drums. made out of a special tree calles Musenga in Congo Brazaville, unites everyone in beautiful dance and music
Choreographer: Loubayi Arnaud. Dancers: Dandha Da hora, Mandjou Kone, Musicians: Mohamed Kouyate, Abel Damansceno, Pabipa Gondinho, Ciiku Ndungu-Case
Brazil
Canto Das Yabas/Swing Da Cor: Yabas are the female Orishas (the Yoruban devine entities) who guide and protect. The saxophone here is connecting us all. WE are artists from Africa and the Diaspora who have made USA our home. This piece symbolizes our contributions to our communities and pays homage to the strength and resilience of Africans in the new world.
Soloist: Dandha Da Hora. Mucisians: Abel Damansceno, Pabipa Gondinho, Ann Stafford
USA, Kenya, Guinea, Mali/Burkina Faso, Brazil, Congo Brazaville
Road to the drum: A collaborative piece celebrating the power of African Roots through drums, song, and dance. The performance will also explore the rich musical legacy and cultures across the African diaspora, including Brazil, Burkina Faso, Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, and Senegal. The excerpt highlights the individual accomplishments of the performers from these countries while also reinforcing Ubuntu and the belief that we are stronger together
I am because you are
