Dance Master Class (5 of 5)- West African Dance

[Humble18101]

This was a nice class except for the last part where they were not teaching they were just dancing. It would have been nicer if they broke the steps down for the students. Although as a former student I know that because you can dance does not always mean you can teach....

[BOOTMAMA]

They're from a village in Mali

[ummmiloveu]

this is AWESOME!! african dance is soo funn!!

[gvalcah]

Ladji! Makan!! So nice to see them unexpectedly! :)

[Arethaisblessed]

Farabaka diara!

[iliiiike]

Wicked!

[DigitalWorksMedia]

They are from West Africa; I forget from specifically where. They had just arrived in Houston literally a few minutes before they taught this class at the Jewish Community Center; later that evening they and the rest of their company performed downtown at Jones Hall.

[mishsamuels]

Who is the Instructor? Where are they from, Company or school?

[pazonote]

They are from Mali -

Their company is called la Troupe du District de Bamako based in Bamako. They came in the USA for a 2months tour in 2008 with the Bamba percussions group.

The female dancer's name is Sitan Traoré and the male dancer 's name is Ladji Diakité.

The first dance called Jondon and the second is called Farabanka.

[aoscruggs49]

@pazonote I thought the first dance was Wollosodon

[pazonote]

@aoscruggs49

Jondon and wolosodon is the same rhythm - "jon" means slave and "woloso" also means slave but slave who are born in their master's house (wolo means born - so means house)

[aoscruggs49]

@pazonote Yeah, I know but we were also taught a slower rhythm for Jondon with a more up-tempo switch for Wollosodon.