kouy até Assane k o u y a t é A Journey Through West Africa Educational Programming K - 1 2 Inquiries & Booking: E: [email protected] P: 404.861.0775 @kouyatejeli koufoy AssaneSarah c h e f / f o o d w r i t e r / b l o g g e r od w w w . f o o d p h . c o m até kP ao lu ey sa o t n é table of contents 1.About the Artist & Overview 2.Curriculum 3.Connections 4.Standards (examples) w est africa Map Credit: Nations Online Project kouy Assane A J o u r n e y T h r o u g h W e s t A f r i c a até k o u y a t é about the artist o v e r v i e w Lassana ‘Assane’ Kouyaté was born and raised West African culture is displayed in everyday in Senegal, West Africa, of a griot family line life through many traditional art forms such originating in Mali. Griots are the poets, as music, dance, art, sports, clothing and history tellers, keepers and oral transmitters food. Exposing students to the beauty of of West African cultural traditions. these traditional art forms creates a lasting connection to our vast cultural history. He traveled the world as a lead choreographer and dancer with Le Ballet With Assane's program, 'A Journey Through National du Senegal and Ballet Sinomew, West Africa,' students will… touring internationally throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America. Explore West African instruments, tools & resources that influence artistic In Atlanta, Kouyaté is artistic director of expression several traditional arts projects, established Analyze the characteristics of traditional with the goal of preserving West African rhythms, dance, music & song from culture, and which have been funded by diverse West African cultures, in Fulton County Arts and Culture and The City particular, the Manding culture of Mali, of Atlanta, Office of Cultural Affairs. Senegal & Guinea Discover how West African art forms are Kouyaté is an influential master teacher of an important part of ceremonies and techniques using cultural arts to empower mark the experience of a person’s life, individuals in community development. teach social values, depict stories and history of the community. A J o u r n e y T h r o u g h W e s t A f r i c a koufoy AssaneSarah c h e f / f o o d w r i t e r / b l o g g e r od w w w . f o o d p h . c o m até Pk ao lu ey sa o t n é CURRICULUM The program includes one or a combination of the following Learning Activities Learning Activity I Traditional West African Dance Students will... Participate in warm-up activities that focus on rhythm, coordination, emphasizing stamina, muscle tone and basic technique; exercises that improve flexibility and teach balance Model and perform simple movement patterns, skills, techniques, styled dance steps and sequences, gradually advancing to the performance of complex dance phrases. Strive to develop unique interpretations of the movements that showcase their own style and creativity. Learning Activity II Traditional West African Song Students will... Learn West African singing techniques and songs depicting celebration, birth, marriage, rites of passage and love. Develop an awareness of how song traditions work hand in hand with dance movement as a means of expression and communication. Learning Activity III West African History Students will... Learn the history of each dance, drum and song as well as the social context of its performance. Through storytelling and demonstrations, learn about traditions e.g. the role of griots, food, dress, language, etc., of some West African tribes (in particular the Manding). Learning the historical heritage contributes to students’ understanding of how art forms function in diverse societies. A J o u r n e y T h r o u g h W e s t A f r i c a koufoy AssaneSarah c h e f / f o o d w r i t e r / b l o g g e r od w w w . f o o d p h . c o m até Pk ao lu ey sa o t n é CURRICULUM The program includes one or a combination of the following Learning Activities Learning Activity IV Drum Talk: Students will... Learn about different types and some popular drums of West Africa - djembe, dun duns (dundunba, sangban & kenkeni), sabar & krin. Be instructed on how to play traditional drums: learn different beats and understand the multi-layered rhythms that compel dancers to move. Learn the role of the lead or master drummer who mediates between the drummers and dancers. They will understand the “call” and “response” musical dialogue between master drummer and the rest of the drummers in the ensemble. Learning Activity V *For residency program only Choreography/Course end performance: Students will... Be instructed on stage performance arrangements and village style movements and how it communicates meaning. Identify elements of choreography and apply the knowledge, skills, and techniques of traditional West African forms in their own creative live presentation. Extension: If time permits and for an additional fee, students will also have the opportunity to work on props, costumes and body art to further heighten the affective power of their performance. **NOTE: The residency program virtual offering may include introduction to a bonus instrument including the tama or talking drum, ngoni (precursor to the banjo), kora (21-string harp-like instrument) or balafon (precursor to the xylophone). A J o u r n e y T h r o u g h W e s t A f r i c a koufoy AssaneSarah c h e f / f o o d w r i t e r / b l o g g e r od w w w . f o o d p h . c o m até Pk ao lu ey sa o t n é CONNECTIONS Assane Kouyate believes that art and culture are connected in many different ways. A few of those ways are described below. For each example of how art and culture are connected, have your students: 1.Think of ways that they have seen or experienced the examples in their own lives; 2.Discuss new examples that they learned from the performance. Music Music connects people to history and culture Essential Question: Can you think of any examples where music connects people to their history and culture? Physical Education Physical activity: motor skills and movement patterns are important for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction Essential Question: Can you think of any examples of how you or someone you know has improved their health, enjoyment, self-expression or social interaction through physical education or movement? Art Art is a means of self-expression that reflects history and culture, as well as shapes it Essential Question: How do you express yourself through art? Find an example of a work of art that you believe reflects history and culture and discuss it with a friend. Dance Dance can communicate ideas and feelings, and has been used as a form of communication in various cultures throughout history. Essential Questions: How have you ever seen dance used as a form of communication? How did the workshop and people from West Africa use dance as a form of communication? A J o u r n e y T h r o u g h W e s t A f r i c a koufoy AssaneSarah c h e f / f o o d w r i t e r / b l o g g e r od w w w . f o o d p h . c o m até Pk ao lu ey sa o t n é CONNECTIONS Social Studies Geography and location (where people live) affects a society’s economy, culture and development. Essential Questions: How does living in Georgia (or in the United States, near the ocean, near the mountains, in a city) affect our society’s economy, culture and development? How did geography affect people in West Africa? Family and community customs and celebrations are part of a diverse American society Share your family’s and community’s customs and celebrations with your classmates and discover how diverse your classroom is. How many different cultures and customs are there? English Language Arts Stories and folktales contain lessons and morals Essential Question: Share some examples of folktales that you know and see if you and your classmates can discover the lessons being taught. Discuss why you think this is a good lesson (if you do), and if it is still relevant today. What lessons do you think are important for today’s youth? Create a new folktale that teaches a lesson to children in Atlanta (or other city in Georgia). Technology Technology can present new possibilities for the arts, as well as challenges Essential Questions: Can you give an example of how technology creates new possibilities for the arts? Can you think of any ways that technology might cause challenges for artists? How does Mr. Kouyate use technology in their dance and music? A J o u r n e y T h r o u g h W e s t A f r i c a koufoy AssaneSarah c h e f / f o o d w r i t e r / b l o g g e r od w w w . f o o d p h .