Clyde Alafiju Morgan
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR |
Khalid Saleem
MUSIC DIRECTOR |
Sankofa is a symbolic, Ghanaian expression
represented by a bird whose head turns back looking towards the
past. The Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble retrieves the
cultural essences of the past and brings them into the present.
Sankofa presents dance and theater works
expressing the dynamic presence of African culture in America. Some
of the presentations are replicas of traditional African prototypes;
and some of the works are re-creations, employing contemporary
themes and movement motifs. The members of the African Dance and
Drum Ensemble of SUNY Brockport represent the rich cultural heritage
of Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas, and Africa that exists
within our university community.
The late Albert Opoku, the ensemble's first
director, set the creative pace and artistic tone for the group of
young artists who experienced and performed traditional Ghanaian
dances. Authentic costumes, instruments and themes characterized the
group at that time called Agoromma. An extensive variety of dances
reached an audience hitherto unversed in the rich language of the
West-African culture. This produced a generation of students infused
with a newly found respect and inspiration for African dance. Upon
retirement in 1985, Opoku returned to his homeland and Agoromma was
transformed first into Kuam Ka Fafa and then into Sankofa under the
guidance of its present artistic director, Clyde Alafiju Morgan.
Khalid Abdul N'Fally Saleem joined the ensemble as music director in
1994 when he became a member of the SUNY Brockport faculty.
FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT:
PRIMETIME ENTERTAINMENT
(585) 424-3678 or
(585) 330-0099