Film Overview

Join dancer/choreographer Abdoulaye Camara of Guinea, West Africa as he takes you step by step through five new dance routines. Abdoulaye has taught students of all ages for many years and is especially skilled at breaking down steps into simple movements. Dances included on this DVD are Soko, Soli, Sinte, Yamama, and Kassa. Students may chose which dance they want to learn or "play all" and get a great workout by going through all 5 choregraphies.

Each dance chapter is presented in 3 segments:
1 - dance steps are broken down and taught one at a time.
2 - the entire dance is shown from the back view
3 - the dance is performed up tempo by Abdoulaye, front view

SOKO - Traditional rhythm of the Komanko people of Guinea’s Faranah region, originally used in male initiation but now popular throughout Guinea for weddings and other ceremonies.

SOLI - From the Malinke ethnic group, traditionally used during the ritual that proceeds a boy’s initiation into manhood.

SINTE - From the Susu ethnic group of coastal Guinea, danced all year round at various village gatherings.

YAMAMA - From the Susu ethnic group, also called “Mamaya”. The women of the village get together once a year to honor the female spirit of Yamama. On this occasion they will ask her for whatever they need for the coming year.

KASSA - A traditional Malinke rhythm from Upper Guinea played at all events linked to harvest as well as to encourage farmers as they plant and harvest their crops.

"Yamama" by Jason Hann, the CD that accompanies this DVD, can be found at www.cdbaby.com

Abdoulaye has requested that these choreographies not be taught in public classes without his permission. That may be obtained via email to allatantou@hotmail.com