KanKouran West African Dance Company

Specialties

For over 30 years, KanKouran has been providing a wide range of services to the greater Washington, DC community through the following major programs: 1) Teacher guides, performances and workshops for elementary through high school students to introduce African culture, music and dance; 2) Customized workshops for all ages in the authentic dance and drumming styles of select West African groups; 3) Guided, educational tours to West Africa for students, performers, and community members; 4) Annual Conference and Concert — KanKouran hosts the largest African dance and drumming conference in the US. It consists of three days of dance and drum workshops, serving more than 3,000 participants annually; 5) Specialized training with the touring «Ballet KanKouran» professional dancers and drummers; and 6) Staged performances at local, national, and international venues. In addition, we offer weekly adult community dance classes on Wednesdays at 730pm. On Saturdays we have children’s class at 12pm and adult dance at 1pm.

History

Established in 1983.

KanKouran was formed in 1983, in Washington, DC, by Artistic Director Assane Konte and former Director of Music, Abdou Kounta, who grew up together in Dakar, Senegal. After many months of recruiting, training and performing at local venues, the Company presented its first full-​length concert, «A Visit to Africa» in 1983. And with that performance, an institution was born. The company was founded for the purpose of contributing to the extension of the arts by introducing the essence of traditional African dancing and drumming to audiences; enriching American cultural heritage through the integration of authentic West African performing arts; and promoting intercultural understanding through education and the performing arts.

Meet the Business Owner

Assane K.

Business Owner

Assane Konte, a national of Senegal, West Africa, is one of the original founders of KanKouran. He also serves as the company’s Artistic Director, choreographer, and costume designer. Mr. Konte began his dance training at age 12 and has studied with many prominent traditional dancers and musicians from Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and Senegal. His career as a professional dancer began at age 15. In 1978, Mr. Konte came to the United States to pursue a career as an independent performer. Since that time, his lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing Africa’s rich culture through dance and music has made him a goodwill ambassador, promoting cross-​cultural appreciation and understanding in the many performance venues in which he and his company have appeared.