Celebration of Senegal with Sing Sing

Sabar Drums.

The final presentation of the Faye family 2009 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Residency at Suffolk University was the Celebration of Senegal held in the Ridgeway Gymnasium at 12:00 noon on December 10.

Before the program opened, Kamisa Barry and Ousman Ba, from Senegalese Organization of Boston and Gracechildren, made a request for support for Isha, a 6 year old Senegalese girl who was badly burned in a house fire. She is in Boston for the surgeries she needs and funds are needed for her and her fathers housing while they are here. But she also needs clothes, toys, and school supplies. And most importantly she needs support. Donations for Isha can be made online at: http://www.gracechildren.org/

The afternoon’s program began with a brief introduction in Wolof by Stevan Redojev, who had taken the Wolof class offered by Lamine Diallo during the semester. He was followed by a rousing drum presentation by the middle school students from the Young Achievers Charter School. They flawlessly played the two compositions they had studied with Moustapha, Aziz and Malick.

Lastly, the students from the Sabar Dance Class (BLKST 263/THETR 263) took center stage. The young women wearing brightly colored beccós, (skirts that dancers wear) and the young men wearing outfits of African fabrics, presented the dances they learned during the semester. Led by Aziz Faye the students listened closely to the drums as they enthusiastically danced through the steps of Kaolack, Ñaari Gorong and Ceebu Jën to the applause of those who attended. Moustapha and Malick were joined by Lamine Touré and Kimani Lumsden, teacher of the Young Achiever School students, in providing the rhythms for the dancers.

Moustapha leads Young Acievers School students.

Moustapha leads the Young Achiever School students in a rhythm.

Young Achievers student playing sabar.

Dance students prepare to begin.

Moustapha (center) with Malick (right) and Kimani (left).

Aziz leads dance students in choreography.

Dance students present choreography.

Students dance to the rhythms.

Lamine Toure joins the drummers.

Aziz Faye demonstrates some dance moves.