Mafalda Thomas-Bouzy

Since 1994, Mafalda has been the director, lead dancer and Choreographer of "Kuumba" an Afro-American-Caribbean drum & dance troupe. The group has performed for diverse audiences in the US and twice in Canada. In 1999, a grant was awarded through the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts to this non-profit group, "Preserving Diverse Cultures in Dance."

In 2000, she studied intense drumming and dancing in Senegal and Mali, West Africa with the National Ballet of Mali and private study with Master drummers & dancers in Dakar.

In February 2001, Mafalda traveled to Bahia, Brazil for dance study and collaborations with several masters in her field and Afro-Brazilian group Ey La Ey Lay and Olodoune.

May of 2001 found her in Trinidad & Tobago where she began her research and training of folk dance traditions of the slaves on the sugar cane plantations, dances of emancipation and rebellion, collaborating with dancers of the Tobago Heritage Committee, learned the " Moko Jumbie" tradition locally known as "stick" walking.

In 2002, a grant was awarded from the Institute for Cultural Partnerships for dance research project in St. Martin as part of the Netherlands, Antilles study, a pilot project and collaboration with the President of "Raices Culturales", a Latino American Organization based in Philadelphia, Mafalda and her group "Kuumba" has been a member of the Raices coalition since 2001.

March of 2003 found Sister Mafalda being selected as United States "Ambassador" to France through the Professional Exchange program of International Rotary Club of Jamaica, NY. She toured as a Dance Professional and collaborated with several Ballet Companies Madam "Mary Ann DeLuce" and contemporary groups "Musique & Danse" of Lorriane, and Patrick Chauvelot of "Amnesia" The tour was so successful that both companies offered her a contract to return to France in January 2004 to offer her dance expertise in their multidisciplinary technique training for their up coming Musical Spectacular production "2057".

September 2004 Mafalda returned to Dakar, Senegal for a dance exchange project on the Island of "Goree" with dancer "Ndeye Fatou Faye".

October 2004 Mafalda was commissioned to perform in St. Martin for two events celebrating the Coronation of Halie Salase where she opened for Intertnational Poet out of Jamaica, Mutabaruka and collaborated with well known dancer Clara Reyes of St. Martin and her dance company.

Since 2001 to 2005 she has offered drum and dance study, training, education, Music & dance Therapy and hands on experience and performance opportunity for students at the following Institutions in Pennsylvania, Villanova and Cheney University, "Devereaux" Foundation, and "Art Reach" making the Arts accessible to individuals with disabilities, The Caribbean Festival Committee, Coatesville Recreation Summer Camp and a host of other Community/Youth Organizations, School and After School programs.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & DANCE INSTRUCTOR

It was in Queens, New York, where Sistah Mafalda was raised and she first discovered a natural talent for dance. She went on to study African drum and dance with IBEJI, a Philadelphia based troupe and also with numerous master drummers and dancers.

Founder, instructor and business manager of Kuumba Performers, she is motivated by her love for children. She is dedicated to preserving and introducing African history through rhythm and dance, to a new generation.

Sistah Mafalda feels.. "Many people in America are not aware of the influences that Africa has on many cultures. It is my dream to bridge the cultural gap in educational and multicultural settings."

A recipiant of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Preserving Diverse Cultures in Dance award in 1999. Sistah Mafalda and lead drummer Dom Thomas studied drum and dance in Senegal and Mali, West Africa with the National Ballet of Mali, and also danced in concert with world music artists Baba Maal and Massamba Diop.

Sistah Mafalda has performed and facilitated workshops in Mali and Senegal in Africa, Bahia, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Marteen in the West Indies.

Celebrate African Culture & History!
With
Sistah Mafalda
&
The Kuumba Performers

Ranging in age from 5 years to 18 this drum and dance ensemble welcomes youth and adults to join them as they celebrate kuumba (creativity)! Youth are encouraged to discover and express their individual gifts, talents and abilities as they preserve the heritage of African-American and Caribbean culture within our multi-ethnic society.

ABOUT THE KUUMBA PERFORMERS

Kuumba means "to create or creativity" in the African language of Swahili. It is celebrated as the sixth principle during the African-American cultural holiday of Kwanzaa.

Founded in 1994 the group was formed to fulfill a great need for cultural enrichment through the performing arts by involving youths of various ages, backgrounds and communities.

Kuumba Performers express freedom through their creativity. They project the emotions and struggles of Africans as well as the love and pride of African-American heritage.

As a result of the African diaspora, they are learning and experiencing a connection to humankind while performing traditional dances, drumming and songs, throughout their community and the world.

In performances, they encourage audiences to participate in dancing, songs and playing instruments! In workshops students learn about the history and social impact of dance tradtitions.

A favorite routine is the Bele' Dance of Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Marteen, which connects the African, French, Spanish, English and Dutch influences in Caribbean Folk dance & costume traditions.

A unique and talented group, "The Kuumba Performers" move forward in positive energy as they share with young and old, the love and pride of Africa, Caribbean and American culture in performances, workshops, schools, assemblies, festivals and special events.

AFRICAN DANCE CLASSES
Weekday evenings for youth and adults
Location: The Dance Studio
124 E. Lincoln Highway
Coatesville, PA
610-348.0189
Please call for seasonal schedule and other locations.

PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS
The group is available for your organization's next cultural awareness or diversity program.

PAST PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS

DEVEREUX FOUNDATION

LIBERIAN COLLABORATION
With Drummer J. BLAMOH DOE

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Instructor of Honors Seminar African Dance Course

ALBRIGHT COLLEGE, Reading, PA

H.O.P.E. FOUNDATION CONFERENCE,
MONT TREMBLAUNT, QUEBEC

RAICES CULTURALES
LATINO AMERICANAS ASSOC.

PENN STATE GREAT VALLEY

AMAZING AFRICA
Maxwell Kofi Donkor Collaboration

TRINIDAD FOLK DANCE TROUPE

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY, Queens, NY

SUNOCO WELCOME AMERICA CELEBRATION

VANGUARD FINANCIAL GROUP

PECO ENERGY BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM

CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILA

RUTGERS U. CENTER FOR CHILDREN

BEAUMONT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

APOLLO THEATER, NY - Talent Show

CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL - Philadelphia

VISION QUEST, NEW JERSEY
& Many more public, private schools, festivals & organizations!

Honorarium varies depending on program length & location.
For bookings and rates, please contact Sistah Mafalda for more information, click here!

or Voicemail: 610.348.0189

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Welcome

Members 2002

Membership Form

Performances

KOTC Workshops

Stories We Tell!

Photos of NABS Conference!