//ABOUT DRUMSONG ABT//

The Ballet Theatre goes into the 21st century in a continuum of roots culture as a voice of the Old African in the New World. The ensemble has a message to deliver for all people of Good-Will, Humanity and Understanding. It is a message of Peace, Love, Strength and Hope to the communities of the world that is Inspirational, Liberating, and Educational.

Drumsong ABT is an international ensemble of outstanding performance artists who combine professional expertise with boundless enthusiasm and sincerity. It is a prayerful celebration of life and thanksgiving that reflects power, vitality and the force of The Ancestral Presence in a performance that dazzles the eye, invigorates the spirit and satisfies the soul; A truly high energy collage of drum, dance, song, ritual and the earthy humore of African folk culture of Senegambia, West Africa. The exuberantly swirling colors and feverish rhythms belie years of research into customs and traditions of Old Mother Africa and her Griots.

The dynamic work of Director / Master Drummer Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye and Associate Director / Dancer Andara Koumba Rahman Ndiaye continues as the major creative forces behind the Music, Rhythms, Choregraphy and Poetic imagery of the ensemble featuring the Drums and Dance of the Sabar and Old Mali. The chants are done in the Griot’s cadence which is an Ancient Foundational Root and a parallel of Modern Rap / Hip-Hop rhythmic verse. The works presented are based on life experiences, rites of passage, fertility and healing ceremonies that come out of the great traditions of Ancient Mother Africa.

Drumsong African Ballet Theatre is the beneficiary of more than 25 years of research and development of is predecessor Sabar Ak Ru Afriq Dance Theater, in its approach and expression of the New World Concepts of African Ballet.

We are New World Griots bringing forward the memory of a people 400 years from the village. We are children of the Middle Passage and we must tend to our gardens wherever they be.