This is our last piece on the dancing from Festival Du Desert. Both the women and men performed a dance called the Takamba. This is a form of dance we had not seen in the US. It is a very melodic dance and can be performed from either a standing position or seated. It seems to be primarily danced by the Songhai people and others in Northern Mali and Niger. We were told by Djenaba Sako that the women are telling love stories in the dance, while the men are challenging each other. Drums, chanting and hand claps drive the dancing. The rhythm is almost hypnotic. We have a short segment of the group TARTIT dancing the Takamba on the main festival stage on the last night. The first part is seated and the second is from standing positions. There are also other small clips of the dance already on You Tube. In one the women are dancing across the floor. In the other, the person filming catches part of the men's seated dance although he is obviously interested in other things at the scene.

Use of alternative treatment therapies have increased dramatically in the last ten to fifteen. Public awareness and acceptance of the efficacy of non traditional therapies by western medical practitioners has grown, and more people seek to distance themselves from the side effects of traditional drugs. The acceptance of alternative treatments is supported by the fact that many health insurers will now reimburse for prescribed non traditional treatments.

It is that time of the year when we try to catalogue the groups who are running trips to Africa. The potential for big bonuses might have disappeared this year but you may still be able to afford a trip. Here are some that we have heard of. Culture Central does not endorse pr recommend any trip. We are merely sering as a clearing house for the information. Before you spend any money to travel to Africa, make sure you are comfortable with the people running the trip. Check the iternary and make sure it will satisfy what you are looking for. There is nothing worse than spending the money to go to Africa and then being unhappy when you get there. Be a smart consumer, do your ground work and research before you commit. Having said that..do go to Africa, particularly if you teach dance or drum. It will change your life and your perspective on your craft.

Trip information below:

The African dance and drum cultural community was blessed for many years with the wisdom and talents of Djimo Kouyate. Born in Dianna, Tambacounda region, Senegal, Djimo was a Diali, oral historian and 149th generation of the Kouyate family of Diali, historians and musicians, who have honored West Africa for centuries. [A diali is a west African poet, praise singer and musician, considered a repository of oral tradition. Dialis are known as jeli in northern Mande areas, jali in southern Mande areas, guewel in Wolof, gawlo in Pulaar (Fula), and igiiw (or igawen) in Hassaniyya Arabic.]

August 16, 1946 - August 1, 2004

One of the exciting aspects of the festival was the "sand stage" area. This was an area that shifted from day to day, and even within the day, you just had to find it throughout the day. The sand stage was where the indigenous dances and music were performed. The Tuareg men performed throughout the festival, and each group had its own style. The following clip displays three different forms of Tuareg dance. The first group that perfored was Tamnana . They have a very unique style of dancing that is performed by their extended family group. No other group performs their dance. It was so fascinating, I have also provided a longer clip which some one posted to YouTube.

The third clip is from the main stage. The performers are from Burkina Faso. We didn't catch all of the woman dancing but watch when her partner comes out. Doesn't his dance look familiar? Please enjoy these clips from the desert.