AiDance

AIDA DIOP

Keeper of West African Cultural Traditions: Dancer, Choreographer, Singer, Storyteller

Aida, born within a Lebou traditional family (the fishing community of Senegal), started dancing Sabar at a very young age. Together with other artists, they formed the group 'Jappo' meaning 'together' in Ouakam (Senegal).

From this group, Aida was scouted by Landing Mane, one of the nation’s leaders of Senegalese dance and music, who became her mentor and teacher in 1997. She added djembe dancing to her repertoire and went on to join Ballets Africain de Sanghoma leading to a tour with Daara-j in Senegal and abroad.

In 2009 Aida joined Bakalama de Thionkessyl and had the opportunity to teach Sabar and Djembe dances at the American school at the U.S Embassy in Senegal.

In 2010 Aida moved to the UK working alongside Landing Mane, participating in various workshops, and working at various festivals such as

Womad and Drum camp with Ballet Nimba; whom she toured the UK with.

Since then she initiated AiDANCE, a community dance project that has offered weekly traditional dance classes with live drumming in central London for over a decade, as well as an annual festival gathering West African traditional artists with workshops and performances.

Her passion for West African cultural traditions, singing, storytelling, and community-related projects led her to perform traditional dances around the UK, sharing her ancestral wisdom with professional dancers, schools, and refugees.

Aida is currently working in various schools throughout the UK and holds regular weekly classes in London.