5 extraits de pièces du Ballet du district de Bamako NumuDon, Musée, Maraka, Sidi Yassa, Djon Djon [transmission 2023]

A choreographic extract remodelled by the group Dogoniws, coordination by le collectif, as part of the “Danse en amateur et repertoire” programme 2022/2023 (a programme created to assist and promote amateur dancing).

Transmission by Madou Dembele, Makan Kone.

Presented on 3 June 2023, Le Triangle, Cité de la danse, in Rennes.

The piece when it was created 

5 extracts from works by the Ballet du district de Bamako

NumuDon, Musée, Maraka, Sidi Yassa, Djon Djon 

Firstly produced NumuDon (1980), Musée (2006), Maraka (1982), Sidi Yassa (1993), Djon Djon (1993)

Choreography: Lamine Sidibé, Ba Issa Diallo, Amadou Bachili 

List of performers when these works were created: 

NumuDon (1980)

Performers Ba Issa, Madou Foune, Chaka Ba, Bien Kene, Mamadou Doumbia dit Djifili, Fantani Toure, Maï Sidibe, Djeneba Seck, Ami Doumouia, Ya Bozo, Oumou Sangare, Nani Coul 

Musée (2006)

Performers Allassane Traore, Ladji Diakite, Madou Dembele, Solomane Sana, Makan Fitini, Ousmane Belel, Assitan Toure, Mariamni Diarra, Sitan Traore, Hawa Coulibaly, Fifi Traore, Tene Traore, Denimba Sanogo 

Maraka (1982)

Performers Abdulaye Mariko dit Ablo Djan, Adama Traore dit Djan, Gedeon, Ba Issa, Madou Foune, Bassala, Chaka Ba, Bien Kene, Sitan Toulimani, Hawa, Kadi et Mariam Samake, Assetou et Rokia Sidibe, Ba Maka Dumbia, Sitan Courouni, Ami Doumouia 

Sidi Yassa (1993)

Performers Abdulaye Mariko dit Ablo Djan, Adama Traore dit Djan, Gedeon, Ba Issa, Madou Foune, Bassala, Chaka Ba, Bien Ken, Taliko Boura, Sitan Toulimani, Hawa, Kadi et Mariam Samake, Assetou et Rokia Sidibe, Sitan Courouni, Ami Doumouia 

Djon Djon (1993)

Performers Abdulaye Mariko dit Ablo Djan, Adama Traore dit Djan, Gedeon, Ba Issa, Madou Foune, Bassala, Chaka Ba, Bien Ken, Taliko Boura, Sitan Toulimani, Hawa, Kadi et Mariam Samake, Assetou et Rokia Sidibe, Sitan Courouni, Ami Doumouia 

Composer: Sega Sidibé, Makan Kone, Mamadou Traore dit Comando, Moussa Traore, Adama Sanogo 

The group

The dance troupe, Dogoniws (little sisters) was created in 2019, following workshops with choreographer Manu Sissoko. It is made up of seven female dancers, all passionate about popular traditions and particularly Malian dance repertoire. The troupe travels between France and Mali, organising residencies in Bamako and Toulouse, where they are based. The dancers meet regularly for workshops and rehearsals in the Mazades cultural centre in Toulouse. They also participate in traditional celebrations both in France and Mali.

The project

Dogoniws is driven by the desire to share Malian cultural and dance heritage. A heritage that has been threatened and undermined by the successive crises Mali has undergone over the last decade. Working with the Ballet du district de Bamako is a way for the troupe to help pass on and preserve its cultural and choreographic memory.

The troupe has chosen to perform several works by the Ballet du district de Bamako: NumuDon (1980), the blacksmith’s dance, is one of the Ballet’s oldest works, made up exclusively of popular dances from the Bamanan region. An initiative by Ali Carambe, Musée (2006) was designed to present the diversity of Malian dance, with dances not only from different regions, but also different peoples and social groups. Maraka (1982) and Sidi Yassa (1993) were inspired by Soninke dances. Djon Don (1993) presents the repertoire of dances from the caste of “Djons” (slaves), recreating the atmosphere of popular celebrations and dance circles.