Senegal

Senegal is a small country located along the coast of the most western point in West Africa. Due to its location, Dakar, Senegal’s capital has been a highly important port of entry into and out of Africa used by travelers worldwide. Senegal is loaded with color, beautiful people, and geographical diversity from coastal areas with sandy beaches and blue ocean

Waves to grassy planes spotted with Baobab trees to the areas within the Casamas region further inland that are lush with vegetation. Cultural arts include many forms of dancing and drumming – Sabar and Djembe – the music of the oral historians (Jali or Griot) – kora and Balafon – and the amazing vocalists performing Mbalax, Senegalese popular music which incorporates the historical sounds of Senegal into modern dance music

 

“Over the course of many centuries, the people of Africa have made several efforts to find a proper means of documenting their history. For this reason, events that occurred throughout history have many interpretations. History was recorded orally by means of recitations, poems and songs. When an elderly, wise person passes away in Africa, it’s as if an entire library of information burns down. My father was taught by his father, who in turn inherited the tradition from his father and grandfather. All of these men were important ‘libraries’ in the Griot community. They were mediators for family disputes, leaders of family celebrations and ceremonies, as well as public speakers and advisors for the royal families, and more. ”translated from French.

 

Accomplishments

Since relocating from Kolda, Senegal, to Colorado, U.S.A., in 2000, Boubacar Diébaté has accomplished many things. Diébaté’s role as an activist in the preservation of his culture in Colorado’s African community is well known. He also works tirelessly to teach and expose his native culture to various local communities and organizations like University of Colorado at Boulder, Naropa University (instructor and adjunct for Culture), Bantaba World Dance & Music, Horizon School, and New Vista School in 2002, in order to provide an opportunity to experience life in Senegal, Diébaté created and continues to develop the Senegal Cultural Exchange Program for students and enthusiasts alike.

As an artist, Boubacar Diébaté is renowned as a musician of contemporary and traditional World music. He tours and performs internationally to promote his two releases, Kambeng (2002, USA), and, My Family (2004, Senegal/USA). Diébaté’s music is an awakening to any who hear it, leaving an impression you cannot forget. Recently, Boubacar Diébaté has attracted the attention of international recording artist Béla Fleck. The two artists collaborate both on stage and in the studio.

Boubacar Diébaté continues to travel to Senegal twice annually to support and promote the Senegal Cultural Exchange Program. When he is not touring, teaching, or traveling, Diébaté enjoys spending time at home with his family in Boulder, Colorado.

 

 

Goree Island

A small island south of the Caper Verde Verde Peninsula … that was one of the earliest European settlements in western Africa and long served as an outpost for slave trading. It is rather barren volcanic rock of only 88 acres (36 hectares), commanding the roadstead of Dakar harbor. The small, picturesque town of Gorée is nearly coextensive with the island. (picture source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

 

Weekend Outings & Performances

 Students will have the opportunity to visit sites like Gorée Island, N’Gor Island, nearby national parks, markets and concerts or special events. Students will also have the opportunity to see National Ballet rehearsals and performances. Senegalese Ballets are groups of Senegalese dancers and drummers who perform shows that highlight some of the very best aspects of Senegalese culture. The ballets are a wonderful way to see a large variety of cultural dance, drumming, melody and theatre woven together in a phenomenal show.  In-house concerts be provided for the group and will feature intimate kora, balafon, drum, and vocal performances by local performers and the trip faculty.

 

Pre-Trip Meetings  Pre-trip meetings will be held at Bantaba World Dance & Music to provide students with detailed background on Senegal. The following topics will be discussed along with other individual questions or concerns: Dance, Music (traditional and popular,) Language, Cultural conduct, rules and guidelines for the trip.

 

 

Cost The total trip cost (includes airfare) is $3,700. The fee includes the following: ground transportation for weekend outings, food, lodging, classes, in-house performances, guides/group helpers (very important to students who do not speak the local languages.) Please bring extra money for snacks, bottled water (you can purify your own with iodine tablets or by boiling it,) market goods, extra entertainment.

 

 

Students will participate in one dance class and one drum class every weekday. Students will also have the opportunity to study kora – 21 stringed harp – lute and balafon – a West African xylophone. Participants will enjoy Senegalese cuisine and language classes in Wolof, Mandinka, and French.

 

Dance instructor for Sabar and Djembe -  Cisse

                Sabar Drum Instructor -  Mor Cisse

                Djembe Drum Instructor -  Fa Cissoko

                Kora Instructor -  Jeli Keba Cissoko

                Balafon Instructor -  Baidy Diebate

                Kwesi Kwarteng J.- Intercultural Context Seminar

Kwesi Kwarteng Justice holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre: Contemporary Performance from Naropa University.
He was born in Ghana, West Africa. Kwesi is a Teacher, Director, Producer, Actor, Writer and Lecturer of Contemporary Performance. He moved to New York City, USA, at nineteen. He began his professional career at the renowned Lee Strasberg Institute of Theatre & Film in New York City studying Acting and Performance from the likes of Debra Wiley and Michael Margatta—master teachers of Strasberg’s The Method Actor Training technique. Kwesi holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama: Theatre from the Tisch School Of the Arts at New York University (NYU). He has successfully taught at University of Louisville, Naropa University and at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. He also extensively trained in professional communication; his specific areas of specialty are in Intercultural, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication as well as in Diversity Management.
 

Classes and Faculty