overview

World Arts and Cultures: Senegal
African Dance

Program - Cancelled, 2008

WAC-Senegal Overview

The Senegal Program has been cancelled for summer 2008.

Learn techniques of African dance and visual arts in Senegal under the tutelage of world-renowned African artists. Participants will begin their studies in Dakar, the captivating Senegalese capital and former French colonial headquarters, where they will be introduced to Senegalese language, culture, history, and art history at the ACI Baobab Center and other cultural institutions. After two weeks of orientation, including homestays with Dakar families, they move two hours south to l’Ecole des Sables, in Toubab Dialaw, where their days will be filled with dance instruction and cultural exchange with students from all over West Africa. L’Ecole des Sables, founded and directed by Germaine Acogny, is an important center for aspiring dancers and home to Compagnie Jant-Bi, a troupe that has performed at major dance festivals in Europe and the United States. Geared for both undergraduates and graduate students, this five-week experience is an incomparable opportunity for both experienced artists and newcomers to explore the vibrant colors, words, and rhythms of African art and music.

Students will also have the privilege of exploring the cultural and political identity of Senegal, an exceptional country where Islam, Catholicism, and traditional religion coexist not only peacefully but to each other's mutual benefit. Eric Ross, a professor at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco, has written, "Senegal is the most tolerant and profoundly democratic society (as distinct from "state" or "political system") I have had the opportunity to experience. I also believe that many of the 'advanced', 'developed', 'liberal' democracies could learn lessons about tolerance and social inclusion from Senegal." The intensive course in Wolof, the dominant language, will facilitate the participants' interaction with their Senegalese families and fellow students and will help them appreciate this unusually cohesive society.

For more program information, please click on the links at the top of this page.

Financial aid is available to qualified UCLA students. All other students should inquire about financial aid at their home institution.

Please consult the Centers for Disease Control's Web site about travel to Senegal. Certain vaccinations and other preparations are recommended but not required.