Duniya Dance & Drum Company
The Bay Area's Only South Asian and West African Dance & Drum Company
OUR MISSION
To cultivate respect for traditional forms, foster cultural exchange, effect social justice and engage in community building, Duniya performs and teaches traditional and innovative performance pieces from Guinea, West Africa and Punjab, India.
About
DUNIYA
Formed in April 2007, Duniya Dance and Drum Company creates dance and music from Punjab, India, and Guinea, West Africa, as well as unique blends of these forms and beyond. The word duniya means “world” in a wide array of languages, including Punjabi, Arabic, Susu and Wolof. Duniya’s work embodies this word, as it explores the forces that have brought together the members of the company and their dance and drum styles, including, but not limited to, colonization, globalization, immigration, art, dance, music and love.
SUPPORT THE ARTS
Help us to continue to promote social justice through performance art and cultural exchange. Become a donor today. All tax-deductible donations are made through our fiscal sponsor, Dancers’ Group.
TRADITION
Duniya cultivates respect for the music and dance of Guinea, West Africa and Punjab, India, as well as the history of these forms and the people who practice them, by creating and presenting traditional dance and music from these regions.
Cultural Exchange
Duniya builds awareness of and exchange between diasporic and traditional populations by creating innovative work that crosses boundaries of genres and explores cross-cultural themes, and by taking students annually to Guinea, West Africa.
Social Justice
Duniya promotes immigrant rights and the important role of traditional dance and music in society, through telling the stories of immigrant and diasporic communities with music and dance and collaborating with local nonprofits to offer low-cost or free performances and classes.
Community Building
Duniya contributes to a network of artists and audiences that supports and values the contributions of its cultural artists by collaborating with other companies, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
