Kalunga Nèg Mawon is a musical dance ensemble that consists of members who have spent most of their lives researching and studying African culture in the Americas.
Our aim is to preserve aspects of African tradition and identity existing in Quisqueya--Ayiti, known today as the Dominican Republic and The Republic of Haiti.
We use the name Kalunga to highlight the Congolese cultural aspects retained in Dominican/Haitian culture and throughout the African Diaspora of the western hemisphere, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc. Kalunga is a Goddess of the Congolese people known also as the Muntu-Bantu or Bakongo. She is the universal cosmos, the great bang from which all life comes, including the depths of the seas and the oceans. Kalunga also represents a time when Congolese culture was dominated by a matriarchal system where women played a prominent role in society.
Nèg Mawon translates into Black Maroons--those who fought against slavery, many of whom were Congolese descendants like Sebastian Lemba. We use the term Nèg Mawon to symbolize our resistance against slavery and colonialism in a struggle to maintain and develop our African identity against overwhelming odds.
KALUNGA'S MISSION
Grupo Kalunga Nèg Mawon is a musical dance ensemble that consists of members who have spent most of their lives researching and studying African culture in the Americas.
Our aim is to preserve aspects of African tradition and identity existing in Quisqueya--Ayiti, known today as the Dominican Republic and The Republic of Haiti.
We use the name Kalunga to highlight the Congolese cultural aspects retained in Dominican/Haitian culture and throughout the African Diaspora of the western hemisphere, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc. Kalunga is a Goddess of the Congolese people known also as the Muntu-Bantu or Bakongo. She is the universal cosmos, the great bang from which all life comes, including the depths of the seas and the oceans. Kalunga also represents a time when Congolese culture was dominated by a matriarchal system where women played a prominent role in society.
Nèg Mawon translates into Black Maroons--those who fought against slavery, many of whom were Congolese descendants like Sebastian Lemba. We use the term Nèg Mawon to symbolize our resistance against slavery and colonialism in a struggle to maintain and develop our African identity against overwhelming odds.
Our mission is to educate adults and children of all walks of life about the richness of our artistic culture and bring about a better understanding and tolerance in the Americas as well as the African Diaspora and to support organizations who strive to uplift humanity. We will achieve our mission by providing performances, producing multi-media documentaries, recordings, and workshops teaching the history, music, dance, and songs which our Congolese ancestors have passed on to us. This will help to preserve aspects of our traditions and their benefits, some of which are tolerance, struggle, self-dignity and a positive cultural experience which will foster cross-cultural appreciation and self-accomplishment.
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beautiful
boliquaa 2 years ago
favilmarr dont speak with out knowledge we chrage money for our services but do not do this for money and we are still very far from making a living it.
nkanga4 3 years ago
sel tanbou a ki bon
stoarman 3 years ago
Jose, this is Yambu! Go on with your bad self! Kudos to you and the brothers and sisters of Kalunga!!!! I hope to catch and possibly sit in with you guys! Nzambia Kutare!
Cibanex 4 years ago
does anyone know the history about gaga/rara I am interested to know, and how did it survive after so many years...
antonioj1 4 years ago
I love this!!!!!!!
Angrygumballl 4 years ago
The roots are of Benin and other West Coast African nations. I hope these guys keep on doing what they are doing.
Angrygumballl 4 years ago
Ur right. i was raised as catholic in haiti, never knew much about voodoo, but knowing about all the blood that was shed in spreading christianity, i have distanced myself from it. it saddens me that people still go by what the "white man" thinks it is. "He" never bothered to do proper research cuz his religion was always the right one. lol. even haitians have been brainwashed despite the resistance of our ancestors. but the group is actually made of both haitians and dominicans.
ambreginny 4 years ago
People talk without having any real knowledge of what they are saying. These guys work in the community, and with they community. They participate in cultural and community events. Please read the information provided about the group. And yes this part of the dominican culture as well as the haitian culture. They are doing a wonderful job at vindicating our african roots and identity in the dominican community, as well as reminding dominicans and haitians that we are one people.
LaCiguapaRebelde 4 years ago
No, it's bamboo calls or jwet bambou. It can also be found in Makanda/rasi/vodou dances. It's Haitian vilalage music...played by Dominicans. Drums/bamboos are are considered instrument to the first/now Haitians...just like piano is just an instrument in the church or a rock N roll band...
fravilmarr 4 years ago