EVIDENCE visits Toubab Dialaw Ecole des Sables Jant-Bi, February 22-24, 2010

Annique

The company's time in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal, was a worthwhile experience.We were at the home of the professional company Jant-Bi, Ecole des Sables, in which one of the main dance studios is sand. At the time of our visit, there was a seven week program taking place in which different dancers across the globe come to study the developed technique of Germain Acogny. The technique uses motifs of Senegalese lifestyles, dances of Senegalese culture, as well as a sampling of western European dance.

 Germain Acogny and Ronald K. Brown

Evidence's brief introduction to the form was most eventful as we were basically thrown in the sand, which had fluctuating marley and cement characteristics, and just had to follow what the company members were showing us. At times it was confusing, but for the most part it was an exchange of a lifetime! The energy of not only the visiting students, but the company, gave us a continued source of life and joy that helped us camouflage many of our mistakes. The two classes were merely the setup for our last night at the Sabar in the nearby village.

Group photo with members of the Jant-Bi Company

On our last night, we walked to the village where a number of the Jant-Bi members grew up to be welcomed by a plethora of kids that were running about playing tag, doing a little tease of some sabar steps, and delighting in their curiosity by asking us questions and wanting to engage in conversation. Sule, one of our company members created a game called "La Lumiere," which with my no knowledge of the French language, is "light." The kids tried feverishly to catch the light coming from our flashlight; as the kids became excited, WE became more excited and wanted to play more games like "red light, green light." We played games until the drums became more unified and began to beckon everyone to the circle.

One by one, children and adults began to dance sabar to the drums. As the specific rhythms changed, the onlookers/participants belted at the sound—cheered for friends and family as each person exuded their style and flavor. It was AMAZING to say the absolute least! Each woman and man possessed such charisma and personality as they executed the steps with pristine precision. They eventually pulled us to the center to join in the celebration; we were not as graceful, but we did revel in knowing one of the new rhythms known as the Obama—we danced it so HARD. It was a truly a blessing to be there and share in such an awesome event. Toubab Dialaw was just one of the many many highlights of our tour in Senegal. There is a feeling of home in the city and country that made us not want to leave. Without going on with more adjectives to describe our time at the school, I will leave a blank with an "etc." to know that my list goes on and on. _________________etc.

-Otis Donovan Herring