Kissidugu-West African Percussion and Dance

[rabbittown1900]

響きが良くてこういう曲好きです。癒されます！。

[justaman6972]

i am blind so everyone is black to me, needs more cowbell and penny whistle, but i love it,well done

namaste

[dulceazul]

Thanks for nice video. I really love Africa, african music and African people. My colour isn't black but i'm black in my soul. I'm feeling like this. Greetings from Turkey

[AyeYirMa]

that was amazin!

[SaraSanAndres]

good

[Djuobah]

yeah, my grandfather's people!!

[paroxismo1]

Real music...

without occidental

shits..

bleses and respects!

[LastTaboo]

Music is for everyone.

[kwassagirl]

Indeed it is! Thank you 'theshapesmith' for posting so the world can enjoy! I was born in Australia in 1944 and LOVE AFRICAN RYTHM - DANCE AND MUSIC.

[justgottalaugh]

cultural segregation is just as invalid as skin color segregation. african americans are not from the culture of continental africa - they are from the culture of black america. they have no claims of continental african ownership.

[eyenspiration]

If cultural segregation is invalid, how would Black American culture be completely separate from African culture as you suggest. I believe your opinion is too myopic - it discounts any spiritual component to the idea of culture, and dismisses the possibility that aspects of culture may otherwise travel with people as they travel or relocate to other parts of the world.

[justgottalaugh]

you're talking oranges to my apples. my point refers to black americans who believe they are entitled to say that nonblacks shouldn't play this music.

[pidza21]

Well said, and may I add that the blood that flows through African Americans is mostly from that region anyway...West AFrica.

[Djembemama]

If someone chooses to refer to themselves as African,American, Black, Creole, Mulatto etc. It is their choice. If someone wants to use, Asian, Oriental, White, European, Mexican Amercian or Latino, that is their choice. I wanted to make a comment on how beautiful ALL my "sisters" look drumming. It doesnt matter to me if they are blonde, brown, black, Dutch, Asian or African decent.

[MiamiAfricanDrummer]

to correct you in a language that you can plainly understand.our culture did not begin in america.we are not "african american" we are africans in america.naturally we resemble africa and all of her children throughout the diaspora.its as obvious as our facial features and the color of our skin nothing can separate us from that.I say this only to educate you.. much like my ancestors did.

[justgottalaugh]

you have not addressed my point about notions of ownership related to mandenka traditional music. do you have an opinion?

[keemdog]

I have been teaching and playing djembe for over 20 years, and I'd have to say these white dudes are ripping it up!!! The arrangements are awesome!!! I am African American and I say Y'all go 'head and do yo thang!!!

[theshapesmith]

Thanks for your openness. All of the credit for the arrangements go to our director and teacher, Fara Tolno from Guinea and of course his teacher Kemoko Sano.

[stageleft1]

I fully appreciate ANYONE'S desire to broaden their minds, culture, background -- you name it. Keep learning and exploring. That's what life should be about!

[Kyocho]

Great Music and Great dance!! I love it!

[legolisp]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" - let these guys enjoy themselves. Anyway, purists among you, I don't think the electric guitars and amplifiers are traditionally African, but many an African Band would sound pretty naff without it, these days! Lighten up!

[Misana]

the beginning was the best.. in my opinion

[oneballa1]

smh.. sure, they can dance, but it's looks and will always look mechanical...

[TVwriter23]

So then what about cultures such as the Irish, Welsh etc that had many of the same type of dancing, music and religions as well as lively hood as Africans. And honey not all of Africa is the same. Africa is a continent not a country and even then it wouldn't be, look, or sound the same. GROW UP.

[mrjoecool]

This is so awesome, why are ther so few places where you can buy albums of stuff like this. If any1 knows any CDs of this sorta music that i can pick up at a record shop, can you let me know?, please reply to this comment or i will not know that you have responded, thanks.

[theshapesmith]

Check out Fara Tolno's CD Binye. You can order it and many other CD's of West African Music from Drumskull Drums drumskulldrums . com

[wanderingmenstruals]

Dude, check out Mamady Keita ... similar style to this and there are many good quality, available recordings out there from him.

[qsheba24]

we fly high no lie and you know it, boring!!!! white people can NOT AFRICAN dance or drum. Note the operative word, AFRICAN. And who taught them this need to be ashame.

[GuineaGbe]

It's a shame your heart is so closed that you can't stop and see that performance for what it was, beautiful! I'm sorry that you have been so hurt by the world that you can't rejoice in the sharing and love that comes from people of all nations expressing themselves through african music. It's a real shame.

[mexicatl]

you are not sorry that all non-whites of this world have been screwed by the great devil, the white man! you are not sorry and no it is not ok to teach white people african dance. they look ridiculous and stupid dancing taht way and i can also understand africans being upset at other africans teaching whites how to drum traditional african music. now THAT is a real shame.

[mewmewNilla66]

dude, chilly down, alright? if you don't like it then you don't have to watch it! there are white people who have grown up around the african culture and can dance much better than you probably can! so just stfu and chill out!

[theshapesmith]

I am the manager of Kissidugu and want you all to know that this discussion is very valuable. We have spent dozens of hours discussing this very question within our own troupe and community. Our teachers who are from Guinea say this music is for everyone. Others, don't agree. We believe that this music and dance is incredibly powerful and may be a catalyst to bring more of us into meaningful dialogue.

[theshapesmith]

If anyone would like to continue this discussion, please email me.

scott@ kissidugu . org Please keep the comments and replies respectful, all viewpoints are valid, but insulting one another won't move us forward.