Abene Festivalo

Every winter a music festival gathers the best artists of the region in Abene, attracting a large audience both African and European. Percussionists and dancers from around the world come to learn, improve or perfect their art in the traditional way all year. Abene welcomes artists from other areas of Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and attracts regular visitors from France, Holland, Germany, England, Spain and Belgium to name only a few.

Abene Festivalo 2007-2008 runs from 26 December until 2 January 2008. This year the committee has set up various commissions to improve the organisation of the festival, so we hope you will notice the difference if you have visited us or just appreciate it if is your first vist.

The programme has not been confirmed yet. However the theme has been chosen as "Illegal immigration" to remind and inform the people about all those Senegalese who have lost their lives in the boats taking them to what they consider as "Golden Europe". In touching a very wide audience among Abene and throughout Senegal and Gambia, the Committee of the Festival wishes to bring high awareness about this "plague" which has been in newspaper's headlines throughout the world.

Abene Festivalo 2006-2007 runs from 24 December until 2 January 2007. A mini Roots music festival is organised by Real Africa, a guesthouse in Bakau, the Gambia. The Roots festival is held just a few days before Abene Festivalo starts. A discount rate is offered to those who would like to stay with them before heading to Abene.

'Abene Festivalo 2005-2006' takes place from 26 December 2005 to 2 January 2006. The festival goes from strength to strength. The programme will include Malo Sonko's new band Dimbaya. After a very good rainy season for the village, everyone is ready to celebrate the harvesting season.

'Abene Festivalo 2004-2005' takes place from 26 December 2004 to 4 January 2005. After last year's success, it will no doubt attract enthusiasts from all countries who would like to see traditional arts performed by the diverse ethnicities living together in Senegal and particularly in Casamance: Mandinka, Diolas, Karoninke, Balante, Foula, Mandiak, Serere, Toucouleur, etc.

'Abene Festivalo 2003-2004' took place from 26 December 2003 to 4 January 2004 with the theme "Peace through Culture". It gathered artists from the different parts of the country and abroad, to encourage cultural exchange which always plays an important part in the village.

'Abene Festivalo 2002-2003' started on 26 December 2002 and finished on 2 January 2003 and gave as usual a very festive atmosphere in the village.

'Abene Festivalo 2001-2002' took place from 24 December 2001 until 4 January 2002, offering 10 days of music, dance and theatre as well as a selection of arts events and entertainment.

N.B. The organisation committee of the festival would like to inform all visitors that it is strictly forbidden to audio or video record any performance within the festival programme. Any person caught recording without prior permission from the festival committee will be asked to hand the tape or minidisk immediately. This rule is aiming to protect the work of professional artists who have in the past found out that their music was sometimes edited without giving credit or offering any payment to them. This also encourages all professional artists intending to perform at the festival to know their cultural heritage is respected by the audience.

Abene Plage

Located on the shores of the Atlantic ocean, in North West Casamance (South of Senegal) a few miles from South West Gambia, Abene’s population consists of Mandinkas, Diolas, Karones, Peuls and other ethnies living mostly from farming and fishing in a harmonious atmosphere of village community.

From this life of tradition, respect between the different communities and cultural exchanges, came the idea of organising "Abene Festivalo" in co-operation with the foundation Eurafrika based in Netherlands.

Today, in order to perpetuate with this event of international scope, the youth of Abene organise yearly a festival of theatre, music, dance and African sport, during the festive season of harvesting (December-January).

The aim of the organising committee is to create a cultural space in Casamance, not only by inviting groups who enjoy international fame but also to promote local groups as well as foreign groups whose music is inspired from African culture.

Therefore the committee contributes actively to the socio-cultural and economical development of the region of South Senegal.

Since December 1994, date of the 1st festival, we encourage actions in different aspects of health, education, culture and sport thanks to the funds raised by the festival.

The organisation committee,

Thanks to:

The village of Abene, the elderly of the village – wise men safeguarding our tradition, our Chief of the village Amadou Diabang, the neighbouring villages, the rural committee of Kafountine, the regional sub-committee of Diouloulou, the public, the volunteers and the artists of the festival, the broadcasting radios Sud FM, Dunyaa FM of Ziguinchor, the foundation "Eurafrika" (Pays-Bas), the nightclub "Famarkaya", Campement touristique Casamar, Diaspora Arts (France), alnaniking (UK), Djaly Thibault and all those who have directly or indirectly supported the organisation of "Abene Festivalo".

Organisation committee:

Bernard Diatta, Seny Souane, Tombon Sonko,

Kolokolo Diassy, Dione Diassy

International committee:

Cool Diabang, Abba Diabang, Laurie Sonko-Marie