Dembrebrah is an African American cultural association consisting of teachers, cultural artists, students and youth dedicated to the research, study, practice, preservation and presentation of African music, dance, history and cultural folklore. Dembrebrah Drum and Dance Ensemble is a collection of professional and semi-professional artists and educators dedicated to the study, preservation and pr
omotion of authentic, traditional West African art, culture and history in all of its power, beauty, strength and grace. The company includes musicians, storytellers, poets, dancers, singers, and crafts artisans whose vibrant artistry has brought audiences to their feet cheering and demanding encores. Dembrebrah has worked extensively in schools, both public and private, colleges and universities. The company has performed for entertainment centers, fundraising affairs, conferences, festivals, births, weddings, graduations, community and corporate celebrations, rituals, as well as parades, radio and television. Dembrebrah is an extension of the tradition of West African drum and dance that began before 1978 in the Southern California area by Master Dancer, singer, choreographer, Ibrahima Camara de Papa. "Papa," as he was affectionately known, was born in Guinea, West Africa, where he began his career as a dancer/artist at the age of ten. As an original member of The National Ballet of Guinea, "Ballets Africanes," Papa toured the world many times as one of the world’s outstanding traditional African master dancers. Papa's protégé and premier student of West African drum and dance, Mr. Dadisi Sanyika, continued Papa’s legacy as artistic director and principal choreographer and drummer of Dembrebrah Drum and Dance Ensemble until he transitioned to beloved Ancestor in 2005. Mr. Sanyika served as a prominent figure in the West African drum and dance community for more than 30 years. Having studied with members of the national companies of Guinea, Senegal, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, his teaching, direction and knowledge continues to shine through the drum and dance. "Dembrebrah" is the original name for the djembe, a sacred drum of the Bambara people within the Mali Empire of West Africa. Dembrebrah means “unity of the drum.” The relationship between the various elements of the drum ensemble (dundun, songba, kinkini, djembe), flutes, balaphones, kora, bells, shakeres, singers, dancers and community is one of unified interaction and melodic harmony. All are united in relation to the One, representative of the one great, creative force, which orders and rules the universe through vibration, rhythm and harmony.
