Kono Gnaga

Project Objectives

 

Cultural Preservation:

Research, preservation, and promotion of traditional African arts, specifically music and dance.  Projects will focus on travel to particular regions to explore cultural traditions in dance and music with the objective to carry out documentation, both written and recorded, that can be preserved, protected and used to assist in authentic transmission through the generations.   

 

Arts Education:

Programs centered on the transmission of accurate information, movement, and music to younger generations.  Specifically assists young individuals, particularly those coming from marginalized and vulnerable populations, to foster an interest in the arts through programs promoting self-confidence, pride in cultural and community traditions, and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage.  The program will complement the students’ academic pursuits and will include assistance in school fees when possible.  Eventual goal will be to open a performing arts school that is centered on the preservation of traditional arts in addition to an academic curriculum and a service centered theme.  

 

For this component we have partnered with a school in the Paradjicoroni neighborhood of Bamako, Mali.  As this school was opened privately by a local teacher to serve as a school for families that cannot afford to pay school fees, the school is in a makeshift structure with no desks and 1 crumbling chalkboard and thus needs basic structural repairs and supplies.  We will be assisting to complete construction as well as provide desks and other basic school supplies along with integrating a dance and music program in the school.

 

 

Arts for Development:

Create and implement programs using traditional arts as a means of disseminating information on current issues affecting communities. The impact of using art as a means of expression and learning has been proven to be extremely effective, particularly among illiterate populations.  In the majority of African cultures the traditional arts are widely respected and enjoyed by all generations.  A team of local  artists will be trained in Theater in Development (TID) techniques within the framework of traditional arts.   In using traditional theater, dance and music, artists can involve community members, regardless of language differences, and with methods that fit withincultural contexts. The participatory approach TID uses will greatly benefit women, children, and those from disadvantaged and rural parts of society as it will help to transcend  barriers to communication. This will promote communication between individuals, governments, and other stakeholders which is the foundation of positive community development.

 

Geographic Locations:

Project will begin in Mali with future plans to open branches in Burkina-Faso, Senegal, Liberia, Guinea and other parts of Africa.