Oumar
Sagna from Senegal, West Africa grew up in the midst of African
traditional music as it has always been a daily part of his
people's life. Drumming, singing and dancing accompany
celebrations, cultural and religious ceremonies, farming and
community gatherings. He was raised by his grandmother in a small
village at the border of Senegal and Guinea where he had mostly
been influenced by the Guinea Malinke Culture popular for its
Djembe drumming and dance. Cliquez ici pour voir les photos du village (Click here to see pictures of Oumar in his village.)
Oumar
learned to play various instruments very early on. Being from the
Joola tribe of Casamance, Oumar learned to play the main musical
instruments of his village people : The Bolong ( a big log of tree
carved in the middle and played on the rims with soft wood, the
set of four big drums called Bougarabou and the set of three drums
(Kotiro). He later on decided to persue Djembe drumming .
Since
there was no junior high or High school in his village (DIATOCK),
he had to go to nearby cities to continue school and eventually
get a Bachelor's degree in French and English at the University of
Dakar, along with a teaching degree at Ecole Normale Superieure
teacher training college in Dakar Senegal in 1996. It is mainly
in the Cities of Senegal that Oumar met most of the drumming
groups and excellent drummers he worked with to sharpen mainly his
Djembe Drumming techniques.
Oumar
came to America in the fall of 1997 as part of an international
teaching exchange program. First in Maine, he gained the eye of
the media and made it to the front page of the main local papers,
was heard on the radio and appeared on TV several times . He then
came to Milwaukee in the fall of 1998 where he resided since then.
Once in Milwaukee, he soon was discovered by Milwaukee Public
Theatre and was among the cast of "Tales from The Nile," an
African based tale play. He is still working with that company as
an independent contractor . He provides services in schools and
organizations as a percussionist, story teller and dancer.
Oumar
does artist in residence programs and is a true ambassador of his
culture. He is currently employed by Milwaukee
Montessori School where he teaches
French from grades K through 8th.
He is the founder and director of The Sindoolaa music band and dance company. (Click here for more professional information about Oumar Sagna.)
