Contacts in Africa

[James]

Hi guys,

Some of you may have noticed I have created new country pages for Africa for example.
http://www.djembefola.com/countries/guinea

I haven't updated the navigation for the forum yet so you you'll have to go to
http://www.djembefola.com/countries/guinea for example to see them appear in the menu.

The idea being that if someone searches for "djembe guinea" our page will come up.

Any members from Guinea will be listed there with a prompt to check out our list of teachers.

People can then contact the teacher by sending them and email or PM and I would also like to list a phone number for the person.

So if you have details of people who would liike to be promoted, this is a good opportunity. If you have photos, videos, audio, a biography, even better.

I'm going to build a whole infrastructure around this. Where people can comment on having met and trained and digged the person etc.

So if you have it the following would be useful:
Name
PHone number
email address
biography
media (all types)

Anything else you can think of?
Any sugestions?

[skinsandstrings]

Hi James ,

I'd be happy to contribute to any page you may have on Senegal. We have teaching and accomodation contacts here for Djembe , Dundun, Kora, Balafon , Sabar , Talking drum .
Cheers
Nick

[ndama]

We have a couple of contacts in Guinea we can add in for you. One is a drum maker rather than teacher. The others teach in Matan, not sure if we have up to date phone numbers but could give the phone number of our contact who can help find them if that's helpful. We've had both drum + dance lessons here which was a good test for the teachers as we are a Guinean/English couple operating at v different linguistic + ability levels!! Will send more details if you want them.

[kyleg_ayindisallc]

Hey James,

I believe I can be a large help if you plan on indexing Ghana. Currently I live in Ghana, but will be moving back to the USA in June.

However, Ayindisa LLC - Socially Responsible Artisan Handcrafts, a business I help operate has many contacts in Ghana as all of are drums are made there by artisans with over 20 years experience.

Also, we have recently teemed up with the Ghanaian Minister of Chieftaincy, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Enchanted Gardens Music Conservatory in Connecticut, amongst a few others to build the largest African music and cultural center in West Africa. One of this center’s main purposes will be to help individuals such as University students and ex-pats to learn about African culture, and in particular drumming.

I can start preparing the information you have listed above for around 3 individuals who could meet most likely any specification you would like, and then around 5 more who could carve drums and teach drumming.

I'll do my best to have it to you within a week as I realize you posted this topic a while ago.

I hope the information will still be useful!

Kyle W. Gay
Director of Marketing, Ayindisa LLC
Socially Responsible Artisan Handcrafts
e: kyleg@ayindisa.com
w: http://www.ayindisa.com/
b: ayindisallc.blogspot.com

[tekrtu]

I have one very nice contact in Senegal, Dakar. Ibrahima Thiombane. He is very talented drummer. He doesn´t play just djembe, but also bougarabou drums among others.

During my last winter trip to Senegal, I had change to take couple of djembelessons from Ibrahima. His way of teaching is couraging and patient. Ok, I took only couple of lessons, but those lessons were very eyes opening. Unfortunately I had to come back home, so at that time I wasn´t able to take more lessons, but next year will be a whole different thing

Here is Ibrahima´s own introduction: salut je m'appel ibrahima thiombane mon surnon c'est beuz je suis africain je vis au senegal a dakar je suis nè le 24 06 1981 a dakar ( senegal ) je suis celibataire ma profession : artiste musicien specialite : percussion ça fait 15 ans que je joue la music dans les manifestations au senegal , exemple :les animation culturelles ,festivales ,spectacles ,et dans le sport les animations au stade : foot- ball; basket la lutte; les mariages ....les instruments que je joue : traditionelles : diembe thiong (battrie traditionelle) ,bougarabou ,bonguo asiko ,calebasse ,.............instrument moderne :la battrie ,le toumba ,j'ai frequentè l'ecole nationale des arts peandant 3 ans j'ai donnè des cours de percussions (workshope) avec des italiens , français ,tchek ,americains ,japonais ,,suisse au senegal de (1999-2008).

Unfortunately I can´t translate his text correctly, but maybe someother can.

And finally there is some videoclips that I shooted during the last day of my trip at Ibrahima´s home.

http://www.youtube.com/user/tekrtu

Ibrahima´s contact information:
zeube@yahoo.fr
phone: +221775641580

[Marc_M]

I think this is a great idea for a page. I encourage people to post information as this will be invaluable to some of us.

Other thoughts for information may include typical class size, costs, location, accommocation if available and languages spoken

Peace

[skinsandstrings]

Hi All ,

We are delighted to be working in partnership with the legendary Mor Thiam , Senegalese drummer (google him if you haven't heard of him or his music) he has graciously opened the doors of his island retreat for 2008/2009 courses in djembe , sabar , talking drum , kora and balafon. Check out the site http://www.stardngor.com

Blessings from Senegal

Nick and Fatou

http://www.skinsandstrings.com