Washington, D.C. — This past weekend KanKouran Dance Company celebrated 43 years of preserving African dance and culture with its annual concert, “Sunugaal: Our Boat,” held in Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium. Hundreds of community members gathered for hours of West African drumming, dance, and intergenerational storytelling.
Young leaders carry the torch
Gen‑Z dancer Lyric Hunte, a fourth‑generation participant and granddaughter of longtime instructor Veronica Hunte, described how the program has shaped her leadership. She said she creates a supportive space for peers, helping them develop discipline through regular rehearsals and class attendance.
Lyric, now a sophomore at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, plans to audition for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and eventually launch her own dance venture. She credits KanKouran for instilling a work ethic that extends to her school performances, often staying after classes for extended rehearsals.
Founders reflect on legacy and future
Co‑founder and executive artistic director Assane Konte explained the concert’s theme, drawing parallels between the historic alliance of Senegal’s Lebou, Serere and Walo‑Walo kingdoms and the multigenerational community built by KanKouran. “The kids I taught are now teaching the kids now,” Konte said, noting that many original members from 1983 still return after college.
With nearly 80 dancers and drummers on stage, the program traced a metaphorical boat journey through Senegalese cultures, ending with a Wolof celebration in Dakar. Konte emphasized that while KanKouran was founded in the District, its roots reach back to Africa, the continent he calls “the oldest ground on earth.”
Impact on local youth
Participants like Antonio Vargas, a senior at Columbia Heights Education Campus, said the drumming classes give him balance amid school and soccer commitments. He began drumming as a toddler with his mother and now explores go‑go, Afrobeats, and other world rhythms.
KanKouran’s reach extends beyond performances. Over its four‑decade history the organization has offered 12,500 dance classes to 800,000 participants, delivered 28,000 school performances to more than 11 million young people, and staged 26,000 performances throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.
Call for a permanent home
Despite its success, Konte expressed frustration that the company still lacks a dedicated facility. He envisions a permanent school modeled after the Dance Theater of Harlem or The Washington Ballet, noting that such a home would solidify KanKouran’s role as a cultural institute for African dance in the nation’s capital.
Upcoming plans include youth drumming and dance classes at the Dance Exchange in Takoma Park, Maryland, and continued community workshops during the annual conference held at the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
