OUR MISSION
To cultivate respect for traditional forms, foster cultural exchange, effect social justice and engage in community building, Duniya performs and teaches traditional and innovative performance pieces from Guinea, West Africa and Punjab, India.
Special Event: Deep Dives with Duniya
"Accessing Spirituality through African Dance"
"Accessing Spirituality through African Dance"
Four powerful dance practitioners explore the topic of how they as Black women in the United States are using their practices of African dances to access and recuperate spiritual and cultural knowledge. While African dance has become a global practice, Elvie, Uzo, Kara and Ojeya explore what the practice means for themselves as Black women and their families.
Support via Membership: patreon.com/duniyadance
Donate to Duniya Center Roof Fire and COVID-19 Relief: gofundme.com/f/duniyacenter
Hear more of Kara Mack’s music on Spotify, as well as Apple Music, Soundcloud, etc.
The Uzo Method Project Website
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXqca-7p_bjouArFglWmrhQ
Weekly Schedule
(all times Pacific)
(all times Pacific)
Sun 10:30am
Mon 7pm
Wed 12pm
Mon 5pm
Fri 3pm
Sat 11am
Sat 12pm
Mon 7pm
Wed 12pm
Mon 5pm
Fri 3pm
Sat 11am
Sat 12pm
West African Drumming with Bongo
Bhangra with Joti
Bhangra with Joti
West African Dance with Alhassane
Family Drumming with Bongo
Kid's Bhangra with Joti
West African Dance with Alhassane
Bhangra with Joti
Bhangra with Joti
West African Dance with Alhassane
Family Drumming with Bongo
Kid's Bhangra with Joti
West African Dance with Alhassane
Bhangra
Bhangra is a harvest dance originally from the state of Punjab in the northwestern corner of India and Pakistan. As people continue to cross oceans and cultures, Bhangra music and dance ceaselessly evolves, as influences of Hiphop, Reggae and many other genres of music inspire the artists who create this new Bhangra music and dance. Today Bhangra is danced mostly at weddings and celebrations by both men and women.
West African Drumming
Bongo teaches traditional rhythms from Guinea, West Africa. Students will learn different accompanying parts for the djembe as well as solo technique. Students interested in playing dununs (the foundational drums for the rhythm, played with sticks) will have the chance to learn kenkeni, sanban, and dundunba parts for the rhythms introduced in class. Please call 415-948-0614 if you need to borrow a drum.
West African Dance
This class focuses on rhythms and dances from Guinea, West Africa. Students will learn basic technique as well as the cultural contexts of the dances they learn. The class is open to all levels, and is especially good for those who are new to or have little experience with Guinean dance. It is also geared towards more experienced dancers who want to work on their technique and on learning steps at a moderate, and clear pace. The class is accompanied by live drumming, led by Bongo Sidibe.
About Duniya Dance and Drum Company
Formed in April 2007, Duniya Dance and Drum Company creates dance and music from Punjab, India, and Guinea, West Africa, as well as unique blends of these forms and beyond. The word duniya means “world” in a wide array of languages, including Punjabi, Arabic, Susu and Wolof. Duniya’s work embodies this word, as it explores the forces that have brought together the members of the company and their dance and drum styles, including, but not limited to, colonization, globalization, immigration, art, dance, music and love.
Joti Singh
Artistic Director
Joti Singh is a dance creator and dance innovator, sprung from the U.S. American south to parents from northern India. Joti began her dance training in Punjabi circles, carrying through her body the culture that’s in her blood and memory. As an adult, West African dance entered Joti’s purview, transforming her body’s culture. Through this multilingual body, Joti explores where history intertwines with contemporary continuities of celebration and injustice. Joti and her husband, musician Bongo Sidibe, lead annual trips to Guinea and recently opened the Duniya Center for Arts and Education in Conakry. She teaches all over the SF Bay Area, including Dance Mission Theater and the San Francisco School of the Arts. Joti holds an MA in South Asian Studies from UC Berkeley and a BA in English from Reed College.
Alpha Oumar 'Bongo' Sidibe
Music Director
Alpha Oumar “Bongo” Sidibe is a traditional drummer from Conakry, Guinea in West Africa. Bongo studied with Master Drummer Mamady Keita at his school, Tam Tam Mandigue, Guinea, and participated in his workshops in Conakry and Balandougou, Mamady’s village. He performed with Ballet Jah Karlo in Dakar, Senegal, and recorded the CD “N’dguel Fall” and toured with Orchestre Baye Fall. Before leaving Guinea, he was co-director of Balandougou Kan, a group of traditional percussionists and dancers. Since arriving in the U.S., Bongo has performed with Rhythm Village, Joan Baez, Mickey Hart, the Grateful Dead, and Black Nature from the Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars. He is also the founder and lead singer of the international reggae group Wontanara.
Alhassane "Papin" Da Camara
West African Choreographer
Alhassane “Papin” Da Camara was born in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa. Alhassane has been blessed with the same innate dance talent as his mother, Dah Camara. He followed this calling, and by 11 years of age, he was fully immersed in Ballet Tayely in Guinea, studying, and performing traditional Guinea dances. Alhassane continued to excel, not only as a dancer, but as a fully trained musician, knowing all of the musical rhythms of the drums and accompanying instruments of the traditional Guinea dances. He proceeded to become the lead dancer and choreographer of his ballet company. Alhassane “Papin” has lived in the United States since May 2009 and now lives in Oakland, CA.Alhassane is forever grateful for his mentor ~ world-renowned, Youssouf Koumbassa. Youssouf took Alhassane under his wing, embraced his talent, and appreciated his dedication and determination. Alhassane has worked extensively with Youssouf and is honored to be considered to be Youssouf’s protege.
Venmo Users: You can only pay via Venmo if you visit this page on your mobile device. If you have not done so before, you'll need to go into the Venmo App Settings, find the Buying section and tap "Enable Mobile Web Purchase" or "Connect Browsers". You'll see the Venmo option AFTER you click the "Pay Now" button