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West African Dance & Drum festival

On November 1st through 4th,  Jeh Kulu hosted their annual West African dance & drum festival. They bring in guest artists from Mali, Guinea and Senegal to teach their traditions and they attract around 300 participants from all over the United States and Canada.

In the Bambara language of Mali, West Africa, “Jeh Kulu” means “community” and this is what Jeh Kulu Dance & Drum Theater has worked to build. Founded in 1993, Jeh Kulu brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to honor the joyous traditions of West Africa.

Their vision is to raise cultural awareness, create a sense of community, and, at the same time, have fun! Jeh Kulu is comprised of 20+ talented artists who share traditional rhythms and dances from the countries of Guinea, Senegal and Mali, West Africa.

For this year’s festival, the group prepared traditional West African goat sauce, peanut sauce with chicken, yassa (red sauce).