STUDY DANCE & DRUM IN WEST AFRICA!

Join us for  Independent Study
Staying with the Cissoko Family

We invite you to visit Fode Sissoko's native land of Senegal, West Africa to experience tradition and cultural exchange. Stay as short as a week or as long as you'd like and immerse yourself in the wonder of Senegal, dancing, drumming, singing, staying at a traditional compound, eating Senegalese food and learning the language with international friends.
It's the trip of a lifetime!

The Trip
You design your own trip studying independently while
living with the Cissoko family. You decide what
you want to learn and how often
you'd like to have classes.
Go anytime it's convenient for you to travel
according to your own schedule.
Experience the beautiful music, dance & culture of Senegal, West Africa from an insider's point of view. Come stay at our family compound in Thiaroye, a suburb of Dakar, Senegal. Guests stay with the Cissoko family at our compound and can learn African drumming and dance taught by Fode Sissoko and other members of the Cissoko family.

We offer drum & dance classes 5 days per week. There's lots of leisure time to sight-see, study kora, balafone, or to study one of the tribal languages. Delicious Senegalese food is prepared daily by the Cissoko family. Traditional fare is based on rice with fish, vegetables, chicken, some meat and a variety of sauces. Vegetarian food is also available upon request.
The accommodations are simple and comfortable.

We are a short drive to the ferry which leads to the historic island of Goree. Visit the slave museum where the slaves were shipped to the Americas, or go to the African market in the capitol of Dakar to shop for fine gifts.

Our trip is a total immersion experience into African culture. Our visitors are not tourists, but are treated as guests of a renowned musical family. Guests return from this trip with lifetime friends, a realistic picture of African life and
receive invaluable artistic and cultural insights.
Not only is our trip educational, it's also a lot of fun!
We hope you will consider joining us.

 The Cissokho family are griots and renowned masters of kora, drum, dance and song for generations. Griots are recognized throughout Africa as keepers of the history of their people, through music and the oral traditions. Historically, musicians and griots are transmitters of wisdom. They are highly skilled performers, teachers and are craftsmen of the finest instruments made in Africa.

 Experience first hand the hospitality of the Cissoko family.
Stay a week, stay a month. We welcome you!

Prices
Our price includes escort from and to the airport,
lodging, two meals per day and all classes.
The price is negotiable depending on length of stay.

Participants are responsible for their own airfare, bottled water and recreational transportation within Senegal.

For current prices, please email or call us
tobystover@earthlink.net
845 687 0692

A deposit is due at registration (refundable with 30 days notice minus 10% booking fee).

The balance is due one month prior to departure.

 
Travel Checklist

You will need a valid passport. No visa is required. Please contact the Center for Disease Control for all vaccination requirements, if any. Participants need to obtain bottled water, visa (if staying more than 30 days) and spending money for shopping. Soda, juice and bottled water can be purchased in the neighborhood. Drums can be rented or purchased.

Upon completion of registration with a deposit, a more complete list of suggested travel items will be sent.

For any questions or to receive a
registration form
contact:

Toby Stover
tobystover@earthlink.net
845 687 0692