A connecting of cultures

    The GCSU Arts Unlimited Committee and Allied Arts of Milledgeville presented The Kouyate Family’s “Memory of African Culture” from Oct. 1 through 4.
    “Memory of African Culture” was started by Djimo Kouyate and his wife Akua Femi Kouyate, in 1983.
    The cultural arts organization began as a way to preserve and teach African traditions of music, dance and oral history in America.
    When Djimo passed away in 2004, Akua carried on along with her son Amadou Kouyate, his wife Crystal Shackelford Kouyate, and their infant daughter, Iniko Naima. Akua’s daughter, Bintou Kouyate, also travels with the family as well as long time family friend, Malari Moore.
    Each family member has a rich, extensive knowledge of African music and dance as well as instruments such as the 21-string kora, djembe orchestra playing and the koutiro drums.
    From Monday, Oct. 1 through Thursday, Oct. 4 the Kouyate family held several workshops teaching African dance and rhythm in Allen’s Market Building and GCSU’s Miller Gym. The family also performed once on Front Campus and once again downtown on the corner of Hancock and Wilkinson streets.
    “For us it is a cultural expression, it’s more than performing, it is part of our heritage,” Akua said. “It’s about the continuation of tradition, of understanding who we are and what we have and what we share.”
    Executive director of Allied Arts Randy Cannon said that the GCSU Arts Unlimited Committee and Allied Arts work together to bring high cultured performances, like the Kouyates, to Milledgeville for the community and the college to enjoy.
    “Our duty is to provide quality arts opportunities to area citizens,” Cannon said. “And it is a nice opportunity for the students and the community to see a culture very different from ours.”
    Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., the Kouyate Family performed in Russell Auditorium.
    The performance included kora music and songs by Amadou, djembe playing by  Amadou and Moore, as well as traditional Mandinka and Bamana dances performed by Bintou, Crystal and Akua. The Family was joined by members of the community that had participated in the week long workshops.
    “Everyone’s been really hospitable. We’ve enjoyed it and had an opportunity to engage different people: folks from the community, the university, the social services organization helping mentally disabled adults. Everybody has been appreciative of the connection into the African culture and tradition,” Akua said.
    GCSU senior Heather Burkett was at the final performance that ended with a standing ovation from the audience.
    “It was awesome, oh it was so good,” Burkett said. “You can tell this is what they really love to do.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 12 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry