Doudou Ndiaye Rose: Innovations on Tradition

Doudou Ndiaye Rose
1928 – August 19, 2015

Doudou Ndiaye Rose’s family is from Njanjoor in the Waalo region in the north of Senegal. His parents were Ibrahima Ndiaye and Coumba Rose Niang. Though géwël on both sides his family did not play the sabar. Doudou wanted to play and sought out information from those who knew, particularly among the Lebu. The history and rhythms of the sabar tradition he learned he passed on to his children.(1) Doudou Ndiaye Rose also used his remarkable talents and skills to develop innovations on the traditions that he learned. The most notable innovations are structured music classes for children, developing saber groups composed of women, and the majorettes which still exist today. Another innovation of Doudou Ndiaye Rose is the gorong yeguel, made by tuning one of the lower drums higher.(2)

The innovations Doudou Ndiaye Rose made are presented in the film clip below.(3)

 

This is the Rosettes in performance at a wrestling match.(4)

Notes

1. Interview with Mamadou “Thiouna” Ndiaye, oldest son of Doudou Ndiaye Rose by Sipho Faye Bellinger and Kapono Ciotti. July 30, 2005 in Guediwaye, Dakar, Senegal.
2. Interview with Mamadou “Thiouna” Ndiaye, oldest son of Doudou Ndiaye Rose by Sipho Faye Bellinger and Kapono Ciotti. July 30, 2005 in Guediwaye, Dakar, Senegal.
3. The clips in the video demonstrating Doudou Ndiaye Rose’s innovations come from National Geographic Explorer, c. 1980s. (Géwël Tradition Project Archives)
4. The video of the Rosettes performing at a wrestling match is taken from an RTS 1 special: 30 Years of Television, 1972-2002. (Géwël Tradition Project Archives)

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