Aziz MBengue
sabar Master from dakar
Aziz aka 'Ziza' embodies the unity of Africanist arts in his Wolof griot tradition of song, dance and percussion. His grandmother raised him until age 12 near Dakar, and then his mother – both griots. Female griots lead events through song and spoken word, while percussion is traditionally reserved for men.
Sabar is the griot drum and dance code of the Wolof, Sérères and Toucouleurs (Peul language). These kingdoms/language groups pre-date the Euro-colonial frontier lines of Senegal. Kings were accompanied by griots playing Sabar to announce their arrival and sing their praises ("louanges") and recall their ancestors names. La Dior Diop had a griot, as did the Buur Sine. Continuing this tradition, the first President of Senegal, Léopold Sédar Senghor, had a female griot. Sabar drum and dance animates rituals such as birth, initiation, wrestling.
Aziz plays and dances all Sabar rhythms, which became is livelihood at the tender age of 12 in Dakar. Aziz would like to share 3 sabar dances/ rhythms with DecodeNoir. Another griot, Boubacar NDiaye may also be invited to the project. We will apply for studio and travel funding to record these rhythms:
LAMB
rhythm des luttes / wrestling rhythm
played after the crop is gathered
NDEUP
guerrir des fous / healing rhythm : played to exorcise or release bad spirits
BARA mbaye
naissance d'un griot : each new griot baby
is announced with this rhythm, which accompanies baby's first tour of the village
Aziz Mbengue : Sabar
Yekeni Camara : Doun
Abib Sow: Dance
Kaolack Rhythm from village of Peul drummer Mamadou Traoré. A dance associated the national dish of Senegal Thiep Boudien.
Shot in 2023 in Monesties France by Deirdre Molloy.
With Association Ebenbao
http://www.ebenbao.fr/
Aziz taught Sabar dances in Toulouse for 17 years until 2023 and still plays djembe and sabar at community rituals, music festivals ands dance camps.
Aziz griot heritage also finds expression in pop... singing with his band Etoile d'Afrique based in Toulouse and Dakar.
Photo credit : Header and profile portrait of Aziz are stills from this videoshoot by Réal Sencinema Production.