West African Music and Dance: Saakumu Dance Troupe

The Saakumu Dance Troupe is one of the leading dance and music groups of Ghana, West Africa. Led by master musician Bernard Woma, the group's joyful, expressive and highly participatory repertoire includes a range of spiritual, ceremonial and recreational genres accompanied by contemporary African dance forms. Instrumentation includes the gyil (African xylophone), drums, calabash water drums, and the praise singing (talking drums) of the Akan and Dagbamba people of Ghana.

Saakumu means traditions, and the award-winning Saakumu Dance Troupe is dedicated to introducing audiences to traditional and contemporary West African dance and music. Based at the Dagara Music Center in Medie, Accra, the troupe has performed at important government functions and in national and international music and dance festivals around Ghana and West Africa.

Following their premier U.S. tour in spring 2008, the performers returned to West Africa where they were the featured group at the Fespaco International Film and Music Festival in Burkina Faso and the designated official performing group at the Festival of Art and Culture in Ghana. The artist-founded association is also involved in community outreach and educational programs in schools and colleges.

Thursday, March 18, 3:30 p.m.
Traditional Ghanaian Dance Workshop
Dance Studio, Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center

Friday, March 19, 4 p.m.
Traditional Drumming Workshop
Samuelson Chapel

Friday, March 19, 8 p.m.
West African Music and Dance Concert
Samuelson Chapel

Admission is free.

Photo by Amy C. Miller