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Denis Kigongo/ Abantu arts
A Heritage of African culture
ABANTU Arts was set up as an African arts organisation promoting cross cultural understanding between Africa(Uganda) the UK and the rest of the world, Abantu Arts since inception has and still promotes cultural and social inclusion in communities and education establishments in South West England through educational programmes, events, African arts and music projects.
ABANTU Arts is a cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, education, and appreciation of traditional African music, dance, theatre, and culture. Denis Kigongo( pronounced Chigongo)a dedicated African performer and educator originally from Uganda founded the organization in 2004.
Since its inception the Company has pursued its mission through ongoing workshops, performances, youth programs, touring engagements, lecture demonstrations, community outreach, and creative partnership programs with renowned artists and performing companies.
In addition, ABANTU strives to portray African(Ugandan) music and dance specifically as forms not simply for entertainment or exhibition, but rather, means by which communities educate, communicate, organize, and preserve their ancestral past.
We hope to share with our audience the beauty and energy that pure traditional African music and theatre can generate.
The company's outstanding reputation has spawned numerous alliances/collaborations with organizations and institutions throughout the South West of England and the UK.
Our Vision
To promote social inclusion through multifaceted African performing arts activities that are accessible to all.
Our Mission
Our immediate future is devoted to the establishment of an African Cultural Centre in South west England. This Centre will serve as a model to educate the community in order to foster a greater understanding of and appreciation for African and cross cultural artistic cooperative endeavours. Patrons and visitors alike will have the opportunity to learn about African culture and other cultures throughout the African Diaspora through the study of dance, music, drum making, language, drama, history, culinary and textile arts, and other aspects of culture.
The African Cultural Centre will become locally and nationally known as a resource centre for the study of African cultural arts. We also envision expanding the Company beyond Our one location .
We intends to accomplish this in two ways:
●By developing a national touring company which will be available for out-of-town engagements
●By establishing satellite studios in the South West area, thus enabling more convenient access to those persons in rural areas who would like to participate in the many activities Abantu offers to the community.
In order to achieve this next level of growth, Abantu must secure a facility to house the Centre. Although the company's outstanding internationally renowned performances with Africa Odyssey will continue to help fund this effort. We hope that you will join us for an educational and cultural experience:
To raise the profile of African performing arts through:
● training and development of new and existing talent;
●creating and delivering innovative, cross cultural performances that fuse musical genre in the mainstream industry
Our Values
ABANTU provides services and performances that reflect the values of African life: family, community, and self-improvement. We have a combination of people offering a variety of workshops, residencies theatre productions and public performances. ABANTU is creating work aimed specifically at enabling the audience to experience the beauty and energy that African music can generate.
●ABANTU thrives to keep on the cutting edge of African Cultural Music and dance making. All members come from an extensive African performing arts training backgrounds.
The company occasionally engages guests to enhance their knowledge and understanding of various African cultural art forms. ABANTU performs on invitation, both locally and abroad.
We are members of the following organizations
Registered artist with 
We are registered artists with Devon Arts in Schools Initiative (DAISI). DAISI arranges arts education projects for schools in Devon and aims to develop the creativity of young people by enriching their experience of the arts and works closely with teachers, governors and artists to strengthen the relationship between the arts and education sectors.
Our workshops can also be booked through click here for DAISI
National grid for learning
We are part of the National Grid for Learning of England.
click here for NGFL
Supported by Arts council of England-South west
I am also part of the decibel program run by Arts Council England, South West
click here for Arts council
I am also a conductor for the Devon Youth Djembe Ensemble which made up of young people from different schools and colleges in Devon. The project is supported by Devon Music services.
I ( Denis Kigongo) am also a Devon Youth Djembe Ensemble conductor with Devon Music service (DMS)
Devon Music Service (DMS) seeks to enable young musicians to reach their full potential. We offer a range of inspirational opportunities that demonstrate pathways of progression and encourage people to deepen and broaden their experience of music. DMS works with schools and learning communities across the county. We support four Devon music centres, and have eight county ensembles.
click here for Devon Music Service
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US BY EMAIL
Telephone UK office-
International: (0044)0136383957
Local: 0136383957
International (0044)0136383691
Local: 0136383691
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