The vibrant sounds and rhythms of Africa resonated through the halls of Tri-Cities High School during the recent 16th Annual Atlanta African Dance and Drum Festival.
This three-day celebration, which kicked off on Friday, July 25, and continued through Sunday, July 26, showcased a rich array of African culture with workshops led by talented instructors from countries including Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Angola.
Founded 17 years ago by Aiyetoro Frazier of the Afrikan Djeli Cultural Institute, the festival aims to provide both seasoned performers and newcomers with the chance to immerse themselves in traditional African arts.
Frazier expressed the festival’s purpose, stating, “I started this just to provide an opportunity for drummers and dancers to expand their learning, provide a chance for people to witness production.”
Reflecting on the festival’s growth, he added, “It was an extension of a space that I had where we had various classes. Then beyond just offering classes for local students, we also wanted to do something to offer people who could travel as well.”
One of the highlights of the festival is the participation of Djeneba Sako, a Mali native who has become a regular feature since first attending in 2003.
Currently residing in Colorado, Sako traveled from Boulder to Atlanta to share her expertise in traditional Malian dance, having originally come to the United States in July 2000 to teach at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“I bring my culture to share with everybody here,” Sako remarked, as she demonstrated the traditional “Didadi” dance during the festival’s opening events.
She explained that the dance is performed during various ceremonies in the Wassoulou region of Mali and is known for its emotional healing properties.
“Didadi is a sweet dance,” Sako described. “If you’re dancing or you’re playing, you’ll be happy. If you are angry, you forget you’re angry; if you have a lot of things on your mind, you’ll forget. You’ll be happy.”
The festival’s programming included intensive workshops taking place from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, complemented by an opening night signature Midnight Dance Workshop on Friday.
Participants were encouraged to select classes from various skill levels, with experienced instructors offering hands-on training in traditional movements, rhythms, and the cultural significance behind them.
A standout event on Saturday evening was the concert performance of “The Goddess Zaouli Lives” by the Afriky Lolo West African Dance Company from St. Louis.
This artistic production, under the direction of Diadié Bathily, tells the story of Zaouli Djèla Lou, a young woman whose journey of love, betrayal, and redemption is expressed through dynamic drumming and dance.
Frazier shared his joy in witnessing attendees enjoy the festival, saying, “It’s very good to see people enjoying themselves. It’s good to hear the comments that they’re making about how much they’re learning, how much they enjoy the teacher, how much they enjoy the music.”
An accessible African-inspired marketplace was also a feature of the festival offering handcrafted goods, traditional clothing, instruments, and food vendors, allowing the local community to engage more deeply with the cultural celebration.
For many instructors, such as Sako, the festival serves as an annual homecoming, deepening their connections to the community that spans over two decades.
“I would say, on a real basic level, leave at least one or two steps that the teachers taught,” Frazier encouraged participants.
“If they took a drum class, at least leave with some parts of some of the rhythms that they learned. Leave with a sense of family. Leave with a feeling of culture and community.”
image source from：theatlantavoice
