BALLET JAMMU

DAKAR. SENEGAL

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The artists of the Jammu Folkloric Ballet transport us to the heart of Africa, with its sounds, rhythms, and colors. This folkloric ballet was founded in Dakar in 2008, under the direction of As Ndiaye, as the result of an ambitious project by its creator, combining two ideas: to establish a permanent folklore group and, at the same time, a school for music and dance. Its headquarters are located at the Yoff Cultural Center, a fishing neighborhood in Dakar, where the choreographies are created and rehearsals take place.

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This group includes young musicians and dancers from all ethnicities of Senegal, and in their performances, we discover traditional Senegalese dances as well as choreographies incorporating elements of contemporary dance. Their impressive dances combine highly energetic movements with spectacular acrobatics, based on the Mbalax rhythm. This rhythm is produced with Sabar drums, which have been used for centuries by the Wolof ethnic group of Senegal.

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In its short career, the company has already earned prestigious awards, prizes, and honors for its rigorous research into its traditions and for its work promoting Senegalese culture and ethnography.

“JAMMU” means “PEACE,” a word through which the Ballet seeks to reflect the unity of all peoples of the world through dance.

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It is a performance full of unique emotions and sensations, reaching the very heart of human beings, breaking borders, and creating a universe of feelings without name, color, or even nationality. It is there that humans find the greatness to connect with others through artistic expression.

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Ballet Jammu has performed in prestigious venues and participated in numerous international folkloric festivals, receiving great acclaim from audiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​DANCE OF FREEDOM

From slavery to total freedom in life. Africans always needed to carry music and dance within themselves to overcome these trials. Through this dance, we encounter happiness and intense joy. The liberated man is welcomed by women with songs, dances, and percussion.

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DANCE OF THE SHEPHERDS (WANGO)

This dance represents a series of scenes from the daily life of the "Peul" ethnic group (shepherds).

Shepherds occupy a large part of the African continent, especially in West Africa, primarily dedicated to livestock (cows, goats, and sheep). Meanwhile, women take care of household tasks, farming, fetching well water, or making flour. The shepherds arrive with their products and proudly display their wealth.

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SABAR DANCE

Sabar is the name of the traditional percussion instrument of Senegal, historically used to communicate between communities. Its sound can be heard up to a radius of 15 km.

The Sabar dance is very popular throughout Senegal, appearing in all celebrations and ceremonies, especially among the Wolof ethnic group.

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The Sabar also has a role in the traditional medicine of the Lebou people, as it is said that the rhythm can influence the spirit and alleviate mental disorders.

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DANCE OF THE STRONG MAN OR DUNUMBA

When warriors were preparing to go to war against another tribe, the king would call the inhabitants of his kingdom to the village square, where men had to demonstrate their strength and bravery while being cheered on by the women.

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Dunumba is also the name of the main drum that signals a change in rhythm, followed by other accompanying drums.

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BALANTA DANCE

This is the dance of the largest ethnic group in West Africa (the Basari). It played an important role in Africa’s decolonization. The dance is a cry of resistance against foreign domination and carries a subtle element of social play, bearing some resemblance to flamenco dance.

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