The Role of the Djembefola in Indigenous Dance Education: Decolonial Revelations in Guinea, West Africa

ABSTRACT

Memoirs of studying with acclaimed dancer-choreographer Moustapha Bangoura in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa, illuminate the significant, yet unspoken role played by the djembefola (lead drummer) in teaching and learning dance. This portrait provides autobiographical and ethnographic insights, gained through attending Le Bagatae Dance and Drum, an international dance school in Conakry, Guinea, founded by Bangoura in 1993. Drawing on a two-decade long mentorship with Bangoura, this study provides dance educators with insights into how a dancer’s musicality is cultivated through the help of the djembefola. How this perspective is related to a decolonial dance pedagogical agenda is also articulated. The study describes the dance pedagogy I experienced as a collaborative process between Bangoura and musicians. The findings reveal that the drummers contribute content and pedagogical knowledge essential for dance learning.

KEYWORDS:

• Djembe drumming
• Guinea
• indigenous pedagogy
• musicality
• West African dance

Acknowledgments

I nu wali/ thank you to Moustapha Bangoura and all the musicians of Le Bagatae and Camp Fareta who have supported me as a dancer. Deep appreciation to Bangoura for giving me permission to do this research. Gratitude to the peer reviewers and journal editors for their support in developing this paper. Also many thanks to Miriam Marler, Susan Richardson, Kyra Colah for diligent proofreading and formatting help. Special shout out to admired colleagues Megan Todd, Lela Aisha Jones, Alfdaniel Mabingo, Ben Isaacs, and Uzo Nwankpa for their conceptual and writing feedback.

Notes

1. Djembe (also known as jembe or jenbe) is a goblet-shaped hand drum made with wood, goat skin, and metal, and is prominent across the West African region. It is the most famous African percussive instrument (Charry 2000; Price 2013).

2. For the purpose of this paper, I use the term West African dance to define indigenous practices found in several countries in the region including Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and others, where dance circles, djembe music and dance traditions are prominent. However, this paper focuses on the research carried out in Guinea.

3. Les Ballets Africains is a world distinguished dance company known for its mesmerizing performances of Guinea culture and dance. Originally formed in Paris in the 1950s by pioneer choreographer Fodéba Keïta, who later moved the headquarters to Conakry, Guinea, Les Ballet Africains was part of an effort to promote ethnic diversity, national identity, and pride in tradition within a (post)colonial Guinea (Charry 2000; Cohen 2012; Monteiro and Wall 2011). The company also sought to inform, entertain, and educate audiences across the globe about the royal indigenous culture of the nation, known as roving ambassadors. Their tours could extend for up to two years (Charry 1996; Watson 2008; Monteiro and Wall 2011; Cohen 2012). Les Ballets Africains became the national company of Guinea in 1958 and continues to perform worldwide. The current director of Les Ballets Africains is Hamidou Bangoura.

4. Decolonial work is about investing in indigenous epistemologies, ontologies, and cosmologies that lead to educational, social, and environmental justice (see Smith, Tuck, and Yang 2019). Decolonization is also a process that involves the mental, intellectual, cultural, and spiritual divestment of White supremacy/colonial ideologies and practices (see wa Thiong’o 1986; Smith 1986).

5. Kuku (also known as coucou) is a popular Guinea dance or rhythm from the Bela people. This rhythm and dance is associated with fishing rites (Billmeier and Keita 1999).

6. Kassa is a popular dance or rhythm from Guinea from the Malinke people. The rhythm and dance are traditionally performed during the planting season to invigorate the hard work (Keita and Billmeier 1999).

7. Lamban is a Malinke/Manding rhythm or dance of the jelidon, oral historians, and griots. It is danced during marriage ceremonies and other events.