Wuntanara – meaning ‘we are together’ – is the exciting creation of
master drummer Souleymane Compo.
Our mission is to celebrate and promote West African music, dance and culture in the UK.
We offer:
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Outstanding classes and workshops in African drumming and dance
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Exhilarating live performances of traditional West African drumming, dance and music
We work with:
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Schools
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Charities and Community groups
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Corporates
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Private and family events
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TV and media
Take a look around our site, and get in touch to find out more…
NEWS BEATS
LATEST WUNTANARA ACTIVITIES
Good Therapy
Wuntanara is proud to be participating in Good Therapy - a music therapy program presented by progress4youth c.i.c. & sponsored by The National Lottery Community Fund. The program is open to young people aged between 3 and 16 years old who are affected by mental health issues, and is being delivered in East Dulwich from February to May 2024. There are still some places available. If you would like to nominate a young person you can find the enrolment form on the Progress4Youth website.
Drums for Sale
Looking for that perfect gift, or just want to treat yourself?
We have some great quality Guinean djembes for sale! Different sizes for different prices, ranging from £80 to £180 plus postage and packing.
See below, and contact us for more information!
Workshops and classes
All ages and abilities are welcome to join our weekly Community African Drumming workshops on Thursdays from 7-8pm at St John's Church, 353 Bromley Road, London SE6 2RP! This family friendly class costs just £5, or £2.50 for concessions. See below, and contact us for more info.
Want to take your drumming to the next level? Master Drummer Souleymane Compo is teaching a weekly African drumming class for Intermediate and Advanced drumming students at The Music Complex in Deptford, London, on Sundays from 2-4pm. See the Classes section below for details and contact us for more info.
Online Drumming Tutorials
Here's our latest Wuntanara African Drumming tutorial for you to enjoy, wherever you are. This one is especially for beginners and improvers. In it Souleymane Compo teaches the Yankadi rhythm, from Guinea Conakry. Watch it here.
We hope you enjoy the video! If you do, please like it, share it, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Wuntanara TV!
We hope to see you soon!
Wuntanara = We Are Together!
LIVE PERFORMANCES
African Drum and Dance Ensemble
London’s premier West African music and dance ensemble blend red hot Guinean rhythms with soulful songs from the village, accompanied by traditional West African instruments.
Combining energetic performance with raw talent, Wuntanara and their music are paving the way as an influential World Music Band for the modern generation. Since joining forces in 2009, Wuntanara have captivated fans with their signature sound and unique performances. Their rhythms are guaranteed to make you move!
If you are looking for talented and authentic African drummers and African dancers in London or around the UK, Wuntanara are available to perform at community festivals, schools, and corporate events as well as private parties, weddings and other celebrations. Contact us for bookings and enquiries.
Wuntanara performance at Open the Gate Festival - June 2016
Wuntanara 10th anniversary look back
Wuntanara Doundounba at People's Day 2011
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Join Master Drummer Souleymane Compo for weekly African drumming classes,
learning traditional Guinean rhythms on djembe and dundun drums.
This class is aimed at Intermediate and Advanced students with at least a few years experience of learning African drumming.
Sundays from 2-4pm
at The Music Complex, 20 Tanners Hill, Deptford, London SE8 4PJ
£15 per class
Please bring your own djembe if you have one. Dundun drums are provided.
Free parking available on the nearby streets.
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Souleymane is also teaching Community African drumming classes
on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm
at St Jonh's Church, 353 Bromley Road, London SE6 2RP.
All ages and abilities are welcome! Perfect for Beginners and Improvers.
£5 per class/ £2.50 concessions
Drums are provided, and there's no need to book in advance.
Check out this video for a flavour of what we get up to!
Contact us for more information about these classes.
Djembe sales, tuning and repairs
We have some great quality Guinean djembes for sale! Different sizes for different prices, ranging from
£80 to £180 plus postage and packing.
These traditional djembes are hand-carved by experienced drum makers in Guinea, West Africa. They are specially crafted with sound quality and playability in mind, and tuned to produce a full bass, strong tone and high slap!
Full-size: 12 ½” diameter, 25” height - £180
Medium: 10 ½” diameter, 22 ½” height - £90
Small: 9 ½” diameter, 20 ½” height - £80
Wuntanara also offer professional drum reskinning and re-tuning, if your djembe is in need of some TLC.
Contact us for more information!
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Online African Drumming Tutorials
Wherever you are, you can learn African drumming with Wuntanara, via our
online African Drumming Tutorials.
Follow the links below to learn traditional rhythms from Guinea Conakry via Wuntanara TV!
If you like what you see please click Like, leave a Comment and Subscribe to out channel, and let us know which rhythms you would like us to teach next!
SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY
Wuntanara’s African drum and dance workshops are great for kids:
They give children and young people the opportunity to experience West African culture first hand
Playing and dancing together promotes team working, and helps to build self-confidence
Drumming and dance are fun ways to exercise and develop co-ordination
Drumming and dance are great ways for children to channel their energy, release tension and improve concentration
DRUMMING AND DANCE WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS
We offer vibrant, authentic and engaging West African music, drumming, dance and culture to your school or community group. All our workshop facilitators are accomplished performers and experienced teachers, with DBS certificates available.
Testimonial: "Thanks for today - the children and staff had an amazing time. It was the first workshop we have done since lockdown and it really cheered everyone up. The children couldn't stop talking about the workshop and we'll definitely be booking again for next year (COVID permitting!)."
S. M. Harris Primary Academy Crystal Palace
PARTICIPATORY PERFORMANCES
In addition to workshops, Wuntanara also offer engaging and interactive performances of West African music and dance, which are suitable for whole year groups or school assemblies. These include high calibre performances, with audience participation in clapping, singing and dancing.
ABOUT US
Wuntanara – meaning ‘we are together’ in the Soussou language from Guinea Conakry – is a collective of outstanding artists from West Africa and dedicated African drumming and dance students from across Europe.
Master Drummer Souleymane Compo is the Founder and Artistic Director Wuntanara, and CEO of Wuntanara Ltd. Souleymane was born into the proud musical tradition in Guinea. As a young man he travelled to The Gambia, where he continued his training in the traditional arts with Guinean masters, in the famous Fatala Drum and Dance School. He soon began teaching African drumming and dance to students from all over the world. An accomplished dancer, he also became choreographer and lead dancer for the Fatala Ballet troupe.
Souleymane moved from Africa to London in 2004. Since then he has been teaching and performing in schools, weekly classes, festivals and private events across the UK. He combines warmth and patience with great musical knowledge and skill. He is an inspiring teacher, as well as an accomplished performer.
Wuntanara's lead dancer is Salif Camara
Salif belongs to a family of Guinean artists, and began dancing at a young age. An exhilarating dancer, Salif has performed in some of the most acclaimed Guinean ballet troupes and teaches Guinean dance to student across Europe as well as in Guinea. Connect with Salif Camara on Facebook
The Wuntanara Ltd Team
Working along Souleymane Compo, Ian Baker is the Chairman of Wuntanara Ltd, and Sarah Compo is the company’s Finance and Marketing Director and occasional roadie.
CONTACT
Want to learn more about Wuntanara, our performances, workshops, events or trips to Africa?
Get in touch!