KanKouran to perform ‘Visit Africa’ at The Kennedy Center
KanKouran West African Dance Company will perform ‘Visit Africa,’ at The Kennedy Center in the United States on Feb 1 as part of its social impact program. The free dance class series will introduce participants to traditional West African dances from Mali, Senegal, and Guinea.
Each class will provide a cultural explanation of the dance and its meaning, a careful breakdown of the movements, and the opportunity to execute the dance to live drums. KanKouran is home to three performing companies: the Senior, Junior, and Children’s groups.
The company, whose members were born in the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the culture of Africa. KanKouran preserves and promotes traditional West African culture by providing quality entertainment and educational programs to local and national audiences in an effort to facilitate cross-cultural enrichment.
The dance classes
1. Doundounba
Originating in Hamana in the Kouroussa region of upper Guinea, Doundounba is a very acrobatic dance. The dancers are called Barati or masters of Bara. The Bara is the public place where the Doundounba is danced. This is where the dancers show the important people of the village their vitality and bravery. Men and women participate in the Doundounba with their own specific movements.11:45 AM – 12:45 PM. The dance will be instructed by Nzinga Tull.
2. Yankadi/Macru
Originating from the Susu people of Guniea, this is a traditional courting dance rooted in eye contact and face-to-face movements when done traditionally. Yankadi/Macru is a two part dance, where Yankadi is slower in nature and Macru is more up beat. The dances utilize hip movements and large arm movements and to show your value when entering a family.1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. The dance will be instructed by Amachiyana Payton.
3. Dansa
Dansa is a very popular dance originating from the Kayes region in Mali. It is performed for most celebrations, such as weddings, baptisms, naming ceremonies, and harvest celebrations. The dance will be instructed by Assane Konte.
KanKouran was founded in 1983 for the purpose of contributing to the extension of the arts by introducing the essence of traditional African dance to audiences; enriching American cultural heritage through the integration of authentic West African performing arts; and promoting intercultural understanding through education and the performing arts.
Due to the all-inclusive nature of the company, KanKouran appeals to a wide range of audiences of various ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds. The company’s outstanding reputation has spawned numerous collaborations with organizations and institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad.
On the local and national levels, these include: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Smithsonian Institution, National Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, California Center for the Arts, Howard University, Model Secondary School for the Arts at Gallaudet University, American University, George Mason University, University of Pittsburgh, and Virginia Technical Institute.
On an international level: Silesian Dance Theater and the Dance Festival Krakow in Poland; Maui Dance Council, Hawaii; Japan Cultural Arts Center, Tokyo; the Island Center for the Performing Arts, St. Croix; as well as the Emancipation Day Committee of Trinidad and Tobago.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
