BAKALAMA COMPANY

Founded in 1972 in Dakar by Thionck-Essyl’s nationals’ association, Bakalama Company has become a symbol of Diola culture. Its name, which signifies calabash, embodies unity and deep roots, essential values for this Casamance community. Originally a simple folk group, Bakalama has evolved over decades to establish the group as a major cultural and artistic company, representing Senegalese tradition on stages worldwide.

Bakalama is also a school of transmission, training its own artists and welcoming passionate people from all around the globe. Between African traditional dance and percussion instruments like sabar, djembé and souwrouba, Bakalama perpetuates ancestral knowledge while driving it forward. In parallel, there is the value of craftsmanship and African textile creation that contributes to the promotion of a rich and living heritage.

Since 2006, the company has organised the international dance and music festival of Thionck-Essyl, a biennial event dedicated to the celebration of Casamance’s arts and traditions. Convinced that culture is a universal language with the power to unite people, Bakalama vibrates through the world’s greatest festivals, exporting the soul of Casamance way beyond the borders of Senegal.