SABAR!

Grounded in a rich heritage, sabar is a traditional dance form originating from the Wolof people in Senegal and Gambia, West Africa. It is very energetic and requires total commitment from the body. Mainly danced on sand, the constantly changing terrain has been an integral part of its development. It is danced high off the ground with exuberance and elegance, deliberately projecting inner calm, joy, and grace. The emphasis is on the articulation of the feet in relation to the ground.

Characterized by rhythmic body movements, improvisation, and powerful drumming, it's a cultural expression for celebrations like weddings, often featuring short, improvised solos, accompanied by griot — known as geuweul, in Wolof, (traditional bards, storytellers, guardians of history in West Africa) — drummers interpreting the dancer’s moves on sabar drums. It can be considered as Senegal's national dance, blending tradition with modern influences and acting as a vital part of community identity.  Sabar is a central part of celebrations (weddings, naming ceremonies) and social gatherings, known as sabar events, where it can be performed in the day or night.

Sabar dance is rooted in a five-step movement base with specific dances, such as Thieboujeun and Bara Mbaye. The base allows for the freedom to create unique movement and rhythmic patterns, with complex and unexpected movements. Improvisation is important and allows personal experiences to be a source of inspiration, giving the dancer the opportunity to fully experience their artistic expression.

Listen to sabar rhythms from Doudou N’Diaye Rose

Doudou Ndiaye Rose (born Mamadou Ndiaye 28 July 1930-19 August 2015) was a Senegalese drummer, composer and band leader, and is often recognized as the modern master of Senegal's traditional drum, the sabar. He was the father of a musical dynasty which includes some of the most successful traditional musicians of contemporary West Africa. One of the most respected African musicians of the 20th century, Rose was born into the musical dynasty of a traditional griot, known as geuwel in Wolof, family, and began performing as a child in the 1930s. Prior to Senegalese independence, he performed with the legendary Josephine Baker, gaining tremendous popularity in Dakar from a very young age. In 1960 he was named as the first head of the Senegalese National Ballet, and in the 1970s he recorded and toured extensively with his Doudou N’Diaye Rose Orchestra. His extraordinary career also included collaborations with such artists as Miles Davis, the Rolling Stones and Peter Gabriel, contributing to both the Passion and US albums. From Real World Records.