Mandjou Mara Djembefola

Mandjou Mara Djembefola

"There are no boundaries in the language of music." Mandjou Mara

Madison, WI
ph: 608 609 2014
alt: 608 216 5332
mandjoujembefolas@yahoo.fr

LIMANYA

Drum and Dance Ensemble

Limanya Drum and Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Mandjou Mara, performs traditional music and dance from Guinea and Mali, West Africa. By incorporating song, dance, drum and theatre, Limanya's performances are high-energy entertainment for all audiences. Limanya is composed of a diverse group of dancers and drummers from the U.S. and Africa who share a love of African tradition, celebration, and culture.

Upcoming Shows---

August 21, AfricaFest, Madison, WI

September 12, Stoughton Center for Performing Arts with Madison Contemporary Vision Dance Company

Emily

Emily is a long-time lover of African music. She got her first djembe about five years ago and studied sporadically with local drummers. She is currently a dedicated student of Mandjou. Seeing Limanya playing at the Farmer's Market in September '08 was the inspiration she needed to continue her studies in djembe and dunduns and she has been playing with the group ever since!

Photo by Chris Hoppe
Genya
Genya Erling has been dancing for most of her life, exploring a broad range of dance forms in private classes and through the university. As soon as she discovered African dance she realized it was her passion and she has been focusing on it ever since. Genya has studied with master African dancers from Guinea, Mali, Ghana, and Jamaica. Genya is currently working on a PhD in the Nelson Institute Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin working on food sustainability and community development.
Photo by Chris Hoppe
George and Monika

Monika and George are enthusiastic, excited and vibrant performers who have been studying African dance and drum for 18 years. Starting with Haitian, Congolese and Afro Cuban, their dance and drum style progressed to West African. They studied with Master drummers and dancers from Guinea, Senegal, Mali and Ivory Coast. George spent seven years, while Monika spent four years dancing in a troupe, Ballet Sangamar, in Eugene, Oregon, which included travel and lessons in Senegal. Their most influential teachers were Alioune Diouf, Sidiki Sylla and Moustapha Bangoura. Monika taught dance with live drumming by George for three years in Madison, Wisconsin.
Photo by Chris Hoppe
Mandjou

Mandjou Mara has directed numerous groups in Guinea and the U.S. His expertise includes djembe, dundun, sangban, kenkene, in additon to traditional and contemporary song. Read his biography for more information.
Maya

Maya Kadakia is a dynamic and firey performer, instructor, and choreographer. She has spent time studying dance and music in Guinea and Mali. Check out her biography for more information.
Michael

Michael Walls is a long-time drummer and instructor in the Madison area. He is dedicated to studying traditional African music.

Photo by Chris Hoppe
Susan
Susan (Soukaseume) Neeley has been studying West African dance with Maya Kadakia since January 2009. She is a graduate of Winona State University in Winona, MN where she received her BA in Choreography and Dance Management. Susan has performed featured pieces by renowned choreographers and had her choreography selected to represent WSU at American College Dance Festivals across the nation.
Photo by Nataraj Hauser