Following the Compo in Dombondir
Dombondir is a beautiful Jola village in the Casamance area of Senegal. It is situated deep in the bush amidst giant baobab and mango trees, resting on the banks of the San Pedro river. The village is rich in local traditions such as the Compo, a frenzy of swirling grasses set to the beating of the Seruba drums.
In an attempt to raise money towards the completion of their community hall, the village put together their first festival in 2008, taking their inspiration from the Kartong Festival.
Dombondir Festival 2011 took place earlier than usual (see photos in the gallery) – from 27– 29 January rather than April – and only two weeks before the Kartong Festival in the Gambia, which was 11-13 February 2011, so people could combine the two festivals if they wanted! Both festivals featured amazing line-ups of traditional music and dance and wrestling, as well as workshops and local places to visit and explore.
The village is not on the main tourist route and facilities are very limited but made up for by the tremendous hospitality of the local people. There are no hotels or lodges but camping is possible within the village or by the riverside and many of the locals offer rooms in their family homes during the time of the festival.
Although the area is currently stable, there is still a British Government warning about travelling to the Casamance region, so travel is at your own risk. Most people in the area speak French and very little English. Bottled water is essential for visitors and can be purchased in Brikama in advance of your trip.
The Festival committee warmly welcome you to share their culture and traditions from January 27-29th 2012. The programme has been announced:
27/01/2012
15H- 16H OPENING MARCH MAJORETTES DE DIOULOULOU
16H- 17H TRADITIONAL DANCE KEBA SONKO GAMBIAN TROUPE
17H- 18H TRADITIONAL MALIAN DANCE MALIENNE – GAMBIA
18H- 19H DRAMA PLAY BERINDING TROUPE
19H- 20H KUMPO DANCE YOUTH OF DOMBONDIR
20H- 21H KAANELENE DANCE WOMEN OF MACOUDA
21H- 22H LIVE BAND TATA DINDING GAMBIA
22H ….. DISCO DANCE DJ ALIOU
28/01/2012 16H- 17H TRADITIONAL DANCE TROUPE FA DIABANG
17H- 18H TRADITIONAL MANDINKO DANCE KANKOURANG GROUPE ABENE
18H- 19H JEMBE DANCE TROUPE THEATRAL DOMBONDIR
19H- 20H KUMPO DANCE MAHAMOUDA JOLA YOUTH CASAMANCE
20H- 21H AFRICAN DANCE- JEMBE KARMALA KAFOUNTINE
21H- 22H TRADIONAL JOLA DANCE THIOSSANE KALONE
22H- 23H RAP DANCE LE GEAN BIGNONA
23H- … DISCO DANCE DJ OUSMANE
29/01/2012 16H- 18H WRESTLING COMPETITION SELETY / BADIANA
18H- 19H KUMPO DANCE TRANKIL- TOUBA
19H- 20H MODERN DANCE BACK TO THE ROOTS – BADIANA
20H- 21H AFRICAN DANCE JEMBE MBACKE DABO
21H- 23H TRADITIONAL DANCE WAKILY D’ABENE
23H… DISCO DANCE DJ ALIOU
Dombondir can be reached overland from Brikama in The Gambia or via Diouloulou in the Casamance.
Further details to be announced as they become available!!