Dimbaya

Dimbaya means family in the broad sense of the term, a mixture of generations and a house, where the young learn from the old and begin their life education.

Founded in 2003, Dimbaya is a group that gathers accomplished members of former Ballet Théâtre Bitinibaa and children from the age of 8.

KOmbe Sonko

Artist Malo Sonko has been teaching children and teenagers in his village school for 20 years to inspire them to preserve and continue the Mandingue tradition and to respect the ancestral heritage of music and dance. Since he relocated to London in 2000, Malo has handed over this responsibility to his brother Apai. However each winter he goes back to Abene to rehearse with the group and further their education.

Dimbaya rehearsing

Dimbaya offers a very diverse show combining songs, ballet, theatre and acrobatics.

Mask dance

The audience is treated to inspirational ancient songs for Kings performed by Griot musicians on the kora, balafon and seourouba, traditional ballet performed by young dancers, energetic percussion by musicians on djembes, dun dun and bougarabous, and an explosive finale with mask dancing and fire eating spectacle!

Fire eating

Composition and arrangements are by brothers Malo and Apai Sonko, from the Casamance region of Senegal.

Choreography is by Apai Sonko and dancing wonder Ananau Diediou.