kuma do b’anw fe

[I have an idea to express to you]

Today in djoun djoun I learned the really difficult rhythm of Korajuga. I really love the feel of the oral tradition- not just in analysis and theory, but in applying it to a really fun instrument that is crucial to my exploration as a musician, dancer, and artist in Mali. In learning the djoun djoun and learning more dances I've started to realize how Malians practice dance and separate them using their stories and histories and recognize them based on their djoun djoun lesson. In America we separate dance based on style and the types of steps/movement in a given dance and while that's true in some ways, there's so much more to it!

After an adventure in the Fadgigila market to buy some cloth and a hours of working (and video chatting with the family!) in the cyber café I realized I hadn't really given a report of where my work has progressed after talking to Sekou, Seydou, and the directors at the Children's Center! Well here goes:

My specific goals and plans in addition to documenting and learning dances, songs, and djoun djoun rhythms for my work in the Mande program at Brown are to:

1)    Engage the directors at the Djoumanzana Children's Center in conversation about the needs and goals of the center. I'm hoping to have a fundraiser when I return to Brown. How could a small sum of money be useful for the Center and where would it be best spent?

2)    Teach English Class at the Djoumanzana Children's Center in the afternoons for young teens interested in learning English for communicating with tourists, academic purposes, or an interest in traveling/studying abroad. I will also be teaching an adult class in the evenings at Yeredon for our instructors, family, and friends to pick up some English with the same goals in mind.

3)    Host a Bambara poetry contest at the Djoumanzana Children's Center around the prompt "What advice or wishes would you give to a baby or younger sibling born in your community?" and work with the winners to compose a Lullaby with the idea that its written and intended for children, by children, and relevant to youth culture and reality in Djoumanzana.

4)    Record the children at the Center singing at least a verse of "Sumaya"- a song about Malaria that was composed by Joni, a Malian artist, that I learned last summer and recorded with students at Brown from the Mande class. What's great about this project is that the track will be of Brown students and children at the Center singing together in solidarity, a collaborative theme I really wanted to tackle.

5)    Make a music video for "Papi" a young Coublibaly who is very passionate about Hip Hop and wants to grow as an artist. Papi, myself, as well as the children at the Center will choreograph the dancing, and we will film the dances in different settings around the Djoumanzana neighborhood. This will be a fun artistic project for all involved and it'll be a great way to advocate for the ideas and concerns of the youth in the community.

6)    Work with and record Awa Togo, a talented teenage singer who I met last summer. I want to work with her and collaborate in her growth to become a young performer in Mali. I think she'll be a great leader at the Djoumanzana center in assisting with some of these other projects but also composing and performing music.

7)    Hopefully find young artists and actors to work on creating some art and photo scenes to showcase back at Brown

The ultimate idea is to take these projects back to Brown and host a multimedia exhibit to showcase the music, art, and agency of children from the Djoumanzana community and continue the conversation about transnational collaboration and art rooted in social justice and reflection.