PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE: THE AFRICAN DRUM + DANCE + CHANT PORTAL 2026

PENCHMI CAMP at CAMBRIDGE: THE AFRICAN DRUM + DANCE + CHANT PORTAL

from Wednesday 29th July to Sunday 2nd August 2026 - FULL MOON week. 

A GRIOT DRUM CALL TO ALL WORLD DRUM FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER

5 DAY GATHERING WITH THE PENCHMI VILLAGE ON FULL MOON, IN THE WOODS, BY THE RIVER, BRINGING THE SPIRIT& MAGICAL RHYTHMS OF AFRICA

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✨ 5 DAYS & 4 NIGHTS OF CAMPING

✨ ONE CIRCLE

✨CALLING DRUMS, RHYTHMS, VOICES, STORYTELLERS, MOVEMENTS FROM AFRICA & THE DIASPORA

✨LIMITED DRUMS WILL BE PROVIDED, PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR OWN INSTRUMENTS

✨WEST AFRICAN FOOD,  JUICES & HEALTHY BEVERAGES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE, COMMUNITY KITCHEN AVAILABLE. ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCES FREE ENVIRONMENT 

✨ FAMILY FRIENDLY

✨IN THE FLOW OF THE LEY LINES, IN GUARDED LAND: ABINGTON WOODS, CAMBRIDGE

✨ CALLING IN SOUL-LED & HEART CENTRED SPONSORS. BUYING A TICKET SUPPORTS: 

THE MAKING OF THIS GATHERING, THE CARE FOR THE LAND, THE PARTICIPANT ARTISTS who carry their craft and culture as a way of life, and AFROMOYA, the ticketing platform for black-led cultural events created and run by members of our community

✨LIMITED TICKETS AT £155.55 (EARLY BIRD available UNTIL 7th JULY 2025).  KIDS UNDER 16 ALWAYS FREE

✨THE PROGRAM WILL UNFOLD ON THE DAY

✨ARTISTS INVITED ANNOUNCED SHORTLY, follow Dembis Thioung on social media for announcements or join our PENCHMI VILLAGE whatsapp group chat

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Immerse yourself in the rhythms and movement of  Africa & All Diaspora while nourishing your soul in the natural beauty of Abington Woods, beside the River Granta and within a landscape long associated with the flow of the ley lines.  Calling all drums, rhythms, voices, storytellers and movements from Africa and the entire Diaspora - a unique experience, a celebration of togetherness led by Senegalese master drummer Dembis Thioung, alongside other community leaders (TBA)—offering a transformative, uplifting & empowering journey through drum circles, traditional, contemporary & urban dances, spoken word circles, open mics, live music performances and further creative spaces, all driven by the power of the ancestral technology of the rhythms.

✨WHAT IS PENCHMI?✨

The word PENCHMI (in Wolof is written as “Penccmi”) is used to describe the gathering of ancestors, transcending time and space, as well as the gathering of the elders of the traditional Senegalese villages, in the centre of the community under a baobab tree. Penchmi is the space to discuss matters of LIFE, FREEDOM, and PEACE. Most importantly, it serves to remind us of the LOVE and RESPECT shared among each other.

Dembis takes pride in being guided by the highest Senegalese value of "TERANGA": welcoming, sharing and supporting each other in happiness always, valuing wealth not for its quantity but for the generosity extended to others. "TERANGA" represents the essence of Senegalese culture and it can be translated with the word hospitality.

Launched in London in 2020, PENCHMI – The African Drum + Dance + Chant Portal is a growing community rooted in the rhythms, movement and living traditions of Africa. Through gatherings held around the New Moon and Full Moon, PENCHMI creates spaces for cultural exchange, collective celebration and connection through drum, dance, chant and storytelling. Previous editions have taken place at Folklore (Hoxton), Roundwood Park, Hampstead Heath and Hackney Marshes.

We are honoured to bring this next gathering PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE to Abington Woods—a family-run Community Interest Company and woodland retreat nestled in the Cambridgeshire countryside, beside the River Granta and surrounded by ancient woodland.

Beyond the UK, PENCHMI also journeys back to its roots in Senegal, offering immersive cultural experiences in Dakar guided by Dembis Thioung. These journeys invite participants to experience the rhythms, traditions, communities and everyday life that have shaped his artistic path.

Stay tuned for the next edition of PENCHMI in Senegal, coming in Winter 2026/2027.

✨WHAT DO YOU EXPERIENCE AT PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE?✨

Following the Griot drum call every morning, we will come together through the unifying power of the drums in ONE CIRCLE. 

A GROUNDING & SOULFUL EXPERIENCE embodying drum, voices and movement languages from around the world. Resetting the sense of time, space, rhythm and rest. 

PENCHMI is a safe space to express your soul's dance moves alongside live drumming. Embody traditional and new rhythms, improve your drumming & movement language, and express confidently, all supported by the circle. A grounding experience, connecting to ancestral wisdom through voice, sounds and movement from respected artists & community leaders. 

We will gather, drum, dance and sing our hearts out, we will nourish our bodies, share with others, celebrate togetherness and the artistic expressions of all, and part ways until the next one, in peace & happiness.

All levels, backgrounds, faiths, and ages are welcome. 

Children are at the heart of our community. To help create a safe and joyful environment for everyone, parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

✨WHAT TO BRING TO PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE?✨

🥁 Limited drums available, participants are encouraged to bring their own.

🪑 Chair or stool 

👕 Comfortable clothing for movement & weather 

⛺ Tent & sleeping essentials

🩱 Swimwear and a towel if you'd like to cool off in the River Granta. The river is shallow in most areas, making it ideal for paddling and enjoying the water. Children must be supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.

🍲 Camping cookware & reusable utensils. Bring your own plates, cups & cutlery to eat food from the on-site stalls and support reducing general waste.

 🥗🥗 Food is part of the gathering. Around our community kitchen, we aim to share nourishing meals, the flavours of West Africa, fresh juices and wholesome refreshments prepared by members of our community. Food price not included in the ticket access. You're also welcome to bring your own food and snacks.

🗑️ Bin bags. Leave no trace behind, everybody is responsible to take your waste home. 

💳 Cash / card for market & food stalls 

🎧 Earplugs (if sensitive to sound)

🔥 There will be fire pitches with the supervision of dedicated firekeepers. Individual fires are not authorized.

💧 Water fountains are available across the fields — please bring a reusable bottle to refill. 

🚿 Compost toilets and hot showers are available for your comfort throughout the festival. 

🔌 Power station available to charge phones.

🐾 A limited number of small, well-informed pets are welcome. Please email dembis.thioung@gmail.com to register your pet.

✨MORE ABOUT ABINGTON WOODS ✨

Abington Woods is a family-run Community Interest Company and woodland retreat nestled in the Cambridgeshire countryside, beside the River Granta. Originally gifted to the Scouting movement in the 1920s, the woodland has evolved into a welcoming space where people of all ages can reconnect with nature, community and the outdoors. Throughout the year, the family hosts forest school sessions and nature-based learning for local home-educated children, creating a thriving environment for exploration, play and discovery. For our gathering, Abington Woods will become an outdoor paradise for the children and families of our communities, offering space to roam, learn and connect with the natural world. The site also provides camping facilities, including compost toilets and hot showers, allowing guests to enjoy a comfortable stay while immersed in the woodland.

✨DEMBIS THIOUNG✨

Dembis Thioung, Griot by blood and Baye Fall at heart, is a mesmerizing keeper of ancestral West African rhythms and a creator of new ones. A Senegalese master drum-maker, percussionist, educator, and cultural keeper, he specializes in the powerful ancestral technology of Dundun, Djembe, Sabar, and Asico drums, bridging tradition and innovation through his artistry. In the UK since 2010, Dembis has collaborated with artists and companies across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Founder of PENCHMI: the African Drum + Dance + Chant Portal, he creates spaces for community connection and spiritual exploration. Lead member of BENE TALLY BAND & friends, he summons a collective of artists bringing the magic rhythms and the spirit of Africa to stages. He is also known for his GRIOT+BAYEFALL DRUM BLESSING, a solo act that blends rhythm, spirituality, and storytelling, performed at the Soho House, Cafe Oto, Peckham Levels, Jamboree and Dalston Curve Gardens. www.dembisthioung.com

As Dembis Thioung celebrates his 40th year this month, Penchmi Camp marks not only a personal milestone but an invitation: to honour the gifts we each carry, to share them generously with one another, and to remember that every voice, every rhythm and every act of service has a place within the circle. 

✨CALLING IN SOUL-LED & HEART CENTRED SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS✨ 

Penchmi Camp is a community-powered gathering.

Penchmi is an independent, grassroots initiative and does not receive public funding. Every gathering is made possible by the people who believe in its vision. Each ticket purchased helps bring this gathering to life, caring for the land that hosts us, supporting the professional artists who carry their craft and culture as a way of life, and supporting AFROMOYA, the ticketing platform for Black-led events, created and run by members of our community.

If you feel called to contribute beyond just attending, we'd love to hear from you.

You can support the gathering by:

• Sponsoring the event financially, helping us invest in artists, infrastructure and the long-term sustainability of Penchmi.

• Sponsoring a community member who would otherwise be unable to attend (someone experiencing financial hardship).

• Volunteering your time and skills in exchange for a reduced ticket.

We are currently looking for volunteers in Logistics + Set Up, Transport, Sound & Lighting, River Stewardship and Community Kitchen

Every contribution—whether financial, practical or creative—helps weave this gathering together. In return, we offer recognition, visibility across our media platforms, meaningful partnerships and the opportunity to become part of Penchmi's growing legacy, a shared legacy of cultural preservation, community and collective care.

If you feel called to be part of the village that makes this possible, we'd love to connect with you. 

Contact us via email dembis.thioung@gmail.com

✨TICKETS✨

Limited Early bird tickets from £155.55 (available until 7th July 2026)

First Release £188.88 (available until 14th July 2026)

Second Release £222.22 (until 29th July 2026)

Tickets at the door £255.55 (card/cash)

Stall Holders/Market: £222.22. Contact Maite to learn more dembis.thioung@gmail.com

******* DAY PASSES SOON AVAILABLE (tba) **********

GROUP DISCOUNTS available on request. Please send email to dembis.thioung@gmail.com

Kids under 16’s ALWAYS FREE - all kids must be accompanied by an ADULT who has purchased a ticket. A maximum of three children may accompany each ticket-holding adult. Children are at the heart of our community. To help create a safe and joyful environment for everyone, parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

✨ REFUND & TICKET POLICY ✨

All tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the organisers.

If you can’t attend, you may resell your ticket. Please email the new attendee’s name and email to dembis.thioung@gmail.com to confirm the transfer.

Only tickets with updated attendee details will be valid for entry.

✨STAY CONNECTED✨

If you have any question you can email us at dembis.thioung@gmail.com

Would you like to join Dembis Thioung's open Whatsapp group and receive updates on his workshops, gigs and connect with the community? Join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CJkAcvfpWxqAeHW3piBSk9

You can also follow us on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE

www.dembisthioung.com

with HAPPINESS ALWAYS, 

DEMBIS THIOUNG & CREW