WACONGO DANCE COMPANY

History

WACONGO Dance Company was founded in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998 as the major Congolese International Touring Company. WACONGO was founded for the purpose of contributing to the extension of the arts by introducing the essence of traditional Central African dancing and drumming to audiences around the world in order to promote intercultural understanding through education and the performing arts.

WACONGO is an international residence touring group and home to three Congolese performing companies: the National Ballet of Congo, The Group Kiti Na Mesa and Tuta Ngoma. The company, whose members were selected as the best on their field and born in the Republic of Congo, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the culture of their ancestors from the continent of Africa. WACONGO has established itself as a traditional African community organization offering a wide range of educational and cultural programs. WACONGO appeals to a wide range of audiences of various ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds.

The company's outstanding reputation has spawned numerous alliances/collaborations with organizations and institutions throughout the world including The National Carnival in Bahia/Brazi, The Smithsonian Institution, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Natal University of Durban/South Africa, The Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and The National Urban League Convention in Pittsburgh, The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Field Museums and African Ceremonies of London/England.