Africa 2000 with Mohamed Bangoura!

Aims and Goals
In February 2000 Mohamed Bangoura will be leading a one month study tour to Guinea in West Africa. This special study tour is aimed at students interested in studying djembe playing and traditional dance with expert local tutors. Africa 2000 aims to provide students with the ultimate African experience. Music and dance is a very important part of every day life in Guinee and students are drawn to Guinee to study percussion and dance with the many outstanding artists still practicing their musical heritage. This study tour will be focussed on music and dance and aims to give all students the opportunity to learn traditional rhythms and dance in an African environment. Guinee has more to offer than just it's music! During your time in Guinee you will also experience life in Africa, you will attend traditional ceremonies, eat traditional food and visit villages and some of the islands off the coast of Guinee. But perhaps the best part of visiting Guinee is experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Guinean people.


About the Tour, Tutors and Guinee

The study tour will run for 4 weeks from Monday 28 February 2000. Meals accomodation and tuition are included in the price. You will need to buy your own drinking water. Bottled spring water is available in Guinee.

Classes: There will be 2 hours of drumming followed by 2 hours of dancing in the morning. 2 hours of drumming followed by 2 hours of dancing in the afternoon.

Tutors will be experienced in drum and dance and have worked with the various national ballet companies based in Conakry, the capital city of Guinee.


Most of the classes will be held in Conakry with a strong likelihood that one week will be spent in Bel Air, which is a coastal village about 6 hours drive North West of Conakry. Conakry is a city and you will find banks, airline offices and embassies in the main city centre. You can take money out on Visa card in a few of the banks in the city. Just make sure you have plenty of time to do what you need to do when making a trip to the city centre.

Language There are many West African dialects spoken in Guinee. In Conakry the most commonly spoken dialect is Sousou. Most men and young people also speak French so it is time to brush up on your French - a phrase book may come in handy. If you do not speak French, don't panic, as many of the Bangoura family and close friends speak functional English and can help you out if needed.

Tour Costs and Details
Drum: AUD$1,800 4 hours per day x 4 weeks


Dance: AUD$1,800 4 hours per day x 4 weeks


Bala, Kora, Flute tuition etc to be discussed with tour organisers.


You can bring your own djembe or purchase one in Guinee. Djembes are comparatively cheap in Guinee so buying a drum there is our advice.


Meals:


All your meals will be supplied for the 4 week duration of the tour. Please note that rice, fish and a small variety of vegetables are the staple diet of the Guinean people and therefore will be your staple diet for 4 weeks. We will try to provide you with as much variety in the Guinean cuisine as possible. The meals will be prepared by African women and will be traditional. If you are vegetarian and eat no fish then you will find it difficult in Guinee. Please let us know if you absolutely will not eat fish and we will do our best.


Accomodation:


Your accomodation will be on the outskirts of the city in a large house. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes to travel to the city centre by taxi. The accomodation will be basic but clean and secure so you and your belongings will be taken care of as best we can. We will provide matresses and 1 bed sheet. You will need to bring something to sleep in. Mosquito nets are also recommended.


Airfares:


Airfares can be booked individually or as a group. The fare that we suggest is with South African flying from Sydney to Johannesberg and then to Abidjan (Ivory Coast). From the Ivory COast an internal flight will be arranged to Guinee. The cost is approximately AUD$2,300 to Abidjan and approximately AUD$350-$400 from Abidjan to Conakry. If you choose to take the group airfare please let us know as soon as possible as we may be able to get a discounted rate.


Please book early! You can register your interest in the study tour prior to sending your deposit by emailing Mohamed or by writing to 1/79 Oakley Road, BONDI, NSW, AUSTRALIA 2026

Your deposit of AUD$200** will be due by the end of November 1999. Airfares are to be paid directly to the travel agent. Please see airfares section for more information.

**Please note that the remainder of the tour fee (i.e. AUD$1,600) is payable on your arrival in Guinee in US$ cash. Australian dollars and many European currencies are not accepted in Guinee so bring only US currency.

About the Organizers
Mohamed Bangoura moved to Australia from Guinee in May 1998. Prior to his arrival in Australia Mohamed taught many students from Australia, USA and Europe who had travelled to Guinee to study percussion. While living in Guinee he worked with Percussion de Guinee and other national ballet ensembles based in Conakry. He is well known amongst his peers in Conakry and his aim is to provide you with an enjoyable African experience, as well as high quality tuition. See Mohamed Bangoura's homepage to learn more about his classes and workshops.


Kaz has lived in Guinee for 6 months studying percussion and has an understanding of the needs of students visiting Guinee Though she will not be travelling with the group she will be involved in setting up the study tour and is more than happy to provide any information or answer any questions that you may have prior to departure.

Favorite Links
 
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Mohamed Bangoura's homepage
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