Traditional
Guinean Dance
Artists:
Kadiatou
Conte (Master Artist)
Angela
Watson (Apprentice)
Description
of the Art Form
Traditional
West African dance is a cultural practice that has been passed down
for centuries by individuals, families, and villages. The art form
itself has been influenced by traditional religion, cultural beliefs,
and ceremonial procedures that have shaped the tradition over time.
Kadiatou Conte uses traditional
Guinean Dance, which is rooted in the cultural art forms of Western
Africa, to extend the cultural practices of Guinea to the wider
world. “The art form I practice
is traditional dance of Guinea , West Africa . This art form includes
dance, song, drumming, storytelling, and much more.” All of these
elements are present in the dancing and rhythms of these traditional
dances.
Kadiatou
Conte
Place
of birth: Conakry, Guinea, West Africa
Place of residence: Pittsburgh, PA
Artist
Statement
“My
education in dance began at birth. I started to dance at age three
with the rest of the community, but I really became serious about
dance around age five. My community danced all the time for community
events and celebrations. However, since I am a Muslim girl, my father
did not permit me to dance and therefore I had to hide it. I think,
however, that he knew I danced and knew that I had a talent, but
we just did not talk about it. I loved the reception I got from
people when they saw me dance. I truly believe that this talent
is a gift from God.
I
believe that dance makes one stronger physically and mentally, and
is a source of healing and balance in one's life. Music and dance
can bridge the gap between races and bring everyone together, enjoying
themselves and learning about a different culture. I have spent
my life teaching Guinean dance and costuming to people of all ages.”
Accomplishments/milestones
In
1985 Kadiatou moved to the United States , coming to Washington
, D.C. to fulfill her dream. Kadiatou, affectionately known as Mama
Kadiatou has become a major force in the African Arts community
serving as a bridge between the Guinean and Washington D.C. community.
She has worked with Melvin Deal’s African Heritage Dancers and Drummers
(Washington D.C.); Kankouran West African Dance Company and its
leader, Assan Conte (Washington D.C.); Wo’se African Dance Theater
(Brooklyn, N.Y) and the Andrew Cacho Drummers and Dancers (Washington,
D.C.). Kadiatou has also worked with legendary women’s group Sweet
Honey and the Rock.
She
participates in UMOJA’s various programs, including: the African
Heritage School initiative, where she goes into schools to do K-12
educational residencies on African dance, drumming, and costume
making; African Heritage Early Education Initiative, where she does
pre-K educational workshops to enhance auditory, manual, and coordination
skills through the use of African music, movement, storytelling,
and other activities; UMOJA, Jr., which is a master African dance
and drumming after-school and summer program for children; and the
African Heritage Child Initiative, where she teaches Pre-K through
12the grade, 5-month residencies at local libraries and community
centers. She also teaches at UMOJA’s African Arts and Culture Summer
Experience day camp. Additionally, Kadiatou is a master costume
maker, an art that she teaches to others.
Education:
BA,
African Modern and Traditional Dance and Theatre, Comite National
des Ballets Africans de al Republique de Guinee, March 1968:
Formal
Dance Training:
1973-1985:
Ballets National Djoliba of Guinea , Professor Sekou Sakho
1970-1973:
Federation of Conakry II, Professor Salifou Bangoura
1967-1970:
Section, Professor Mamadou D. Diallo
1965-1967:
Committee de Base, Conakry , Professor Amadou Camara
1960-1965:
Dance School , Conakry , Guinea
Professional
Highlights:
2008:
Accepted into the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Artists in Education
Residency Program Roster, a competitive process that will provide
funding for educational residencies in Guinean dance.
2007:
Asked to be a headliner at the 10th Annual Florida African Dance
Festival, June 7-9, Tallahassee , FL
2007:
Invited to perform at Dance Africa (20th annual festival of music
and dance of the African Diaspora), June 9, Dance Place , Washington
, DC
2006:
Winner in the category of "Excellence in Costume Design"
for Balafon West African Dance Company, Metro DC Dance Awards, September
18, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
2006:
Invited to perform at the TIS African Children Fund, Inc. Gala Banquet
and Awards Program, October 6, Grand Hyatt, Washington , DC
2005:
2005 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, December 29,
UN Headquarters, One United Nations Plaza, New York, NY; was presented
a trophy by Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United
Nations.
Angela
Watson
Current
Place of Residence: Philadelphia , PA
Artist
Statement
“The
art form that I practice includes traditional song, dance, masquerade,
and music of primarily Guinea , West Africa . This style of music
and dance has traditions that can be traced back for thousands of
years. These traditions are multifaceted where there is no dance
without music, no song without dance, etc. This is a multi-discipline
folklore. The importance of this art form in our community is profound.
The practice of these traditional dances has brought many people
together, from the old to the young, and brought back an interest
in traditional religion, culture, etc. as well as encouraging our
youth in educational endeavors.”
Accomplishments/milestones
In
1989, Angela Watson began a study & practice of the Mandingue
traditional dances of Guinea , West Africa with ‘Nanfoule,’ African
Folklore Ensemble, directed by Aziz Ahmed & Denise Bey, protégé
students of the legendary Ladji Camara. In Nanfoule, Angela studied
with some of the master artists of Djoliba and Les Ballets Africains,
the national dance companies of Guinea , performing throughout the
southwest. Some of the with whom she has studied include: Papa Ladji
Camara, Aziz Ahmed, Denise Bey, MBemba Bangoura, Sori Bangoura,
Kadiatou Conte, MaBinty Cilla, Hawa Conte, Ali Cilla, and Moustapha
Bangoura.
Angela
is the founder & director for Camara Arts: Keepers of Tradition,
“which is a right of passage organization focused around youth development
for preserving African cultural traditions & the African Diaspora,
through teaching its meaning, researching the history and purpose,
and presenting in both education and artistic showcases. Frequently
Angela travels to West Africa researching dance history and training
with Sekouba Camara, former director of “Djoliba” and in various
villages in Guinea , West Africa . From October ’97 to August ’98
Angela traveled to Guinea , West Africa , as a Fullbright scholar
researching the history of the traditional village and ballet style
dancing.
Angela
earned a bachelor’s degree in African Studies from Howard University
and a master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy at MCP Hahnemann
University, both of which she draws upon to incorporate African
principles of healing with Western therapeutic aspects of dance
in her work. Angela finished an Arts Management Apprenticeship directed
by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in 2005. Today Angela is
offering public classes for children & adults at the Lee Culture
Center while teaching youth at the Paul Robeson House and Grays
Ferry Beacon Programs.
Education:
Drexel-MCP
Hahnemann University Philadelphia
, PA August 2001
Masters
of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy—Dance/Movement Specialty
National
Board of Certified Councilors approved curriculum
Honors
& Career Highlights:
2002-2005:
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Listed Artist in Education &
Receiving Certificate in Arts Management through the PCA
Leeway
Woo Award Recipient for apprenticeship study April 2001, Art &
Change Grant Recipient for Film Project November 2006
1997-1998:
Fullbright Award Recipient , Guinea , West Africa
Contracted
artist in Japan performing on tour with ‘Foreign Connection Cultural
Ensemble’
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