UCPC & ASA: Back to My Roots VI featuring - Saakumu Dance Troupe

Saakumu Dance Troupe is dedicated to introducing audience to traditional and contemporary African dance and music. (Saakumu) means traditions, and as the name implies, the company derive its repertoire on the variety of both traditional and contemporary cultures with creativity. We are an artist founded association driven by a passion for bringing innovative dances and world music to our audiences. In addition to collaborating with artists and presenters of all kinds, we are committed to building new audiences via performances

The award winning Saakumu Dance Troupe is one of the leading traditional/contemporary dance and music companies in Ghana. With professional performers who are experts in African traditional music and dance, they provide concert performances, educational programs and lecture demonstrations. Together, they bring the art, culture, values, and feeling of Ghana, Africa to their audiences. Led by master musician, Bernard Woman, the group’s repertoire include a range of spiritual, ceremonial, recreational genres to contemporary African dance forms. Their music and dance is joyful, expressive and highly participatory.

Based at the Dagara Music Center in Medie Accra, the Saakumu Dance Troupe has performed at important governmental functions, national and international music and dance festivals.  In 2007, the SDT was the designated official performing group at Ghana’s National Festival of Art and Culture, (NAFAC) the largest cultural festival in Ghana.  This dynamic troupe has toured the whole Ghana, the West African Sub-region and the United States, sharing their unique repertoire with wide range of audiences.

As part of the United States Black History Month Celebrations, the company has toured the U. S, with invitations by Ithaca College, Williams College, Concordia College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Wooster College Ohio,, Berklee College of Music, Babson College, State University of New York College at Fredonia, Hamline University, Indiana University, Bowling Green State University Northern Michigan University, Akron University, California Lutheran University, Trinity College, Texas, Houston Community College, Goddard College, Vermont, SUNY Geneceo, NY, The Players Theatre NYC, The Minnesota History Center, Suburban World Theatre, St. Paul, St. Olaf College, Minnesota, and many other major venues, community colleges, public elementary and high schools to participate in cultural and educational exchange of the arts in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.