THE DRUM CALL!

Ballet International Africans began in 1994 under the name of 'Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble', which was South African (Sotho language) for 'Roots'. It grew into 'Nankama International African Dance Company', in 2001 when Guineans began to join the group. The word 'Nankama' is a Guinea (Wasalon/ Balandugu language) word meaning 'Born For This' or 'Born To Do That'. Finally in 2005, we were born to the world officially, as Ballet International Africans, a name given to the director in Guinea. The name was given to the company by the director because of the mix of cultures that the group represented not only in ethnic backgrounds but also in dance training, knowledge, and ability. Everyone was different but the same and everyone danced in The Spirit, from The Spirit, and for The Spirit.

The Mission and Purpose of Ballet International Africans is to preserve the traditions and cultural arts of the African Diaspora from its beginnings in Africa to its many branches throughout the Americas.
We will use the Performing Arts for audiences and students of all ages, ethnicities and genders. We will use dance, drum, song, and folklore to create a catalyst for change in their minds.
Last but not least we will unify Africans and African Americans (anyone of African descent) through the cultural arts and ancestral history we all share.

BIA has many aspirations for causing positive change in the world. Some of our goals for 2007/08 are:

There are many branches to BIA. Ballet International Africans is the umbrella company to Modupue Children's African Dance Troupe, Storm Hip hop Dancers, Awo Iyami Female Percussionists, A.H.L.A.H. (Artists Healing Lives And Hearts),Silhouette (Poet), and eventually a branch for contemporary dance performers, called, “Aminaizm”/Dance In The Spirit.

Ballet International Africans has performed all over the world. Some of our travels have taken us to perform on African soil in Senegal, West Africa, Rome & Grosseto, Italy, Florida, Vermont, Philadelphia, and more. We have also graced the stages of many colleges and universities such as York College, Hofstra University, Stony brook University, St. John's University, Bloomsburg University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College to name a few.

New York has also been our source for venues. We've performed at several local festivals and clubs with cultural music and dance as a primary focus. Some of our favorite NYC venues that we have appeared at many times) have been The Afrikan Street Festival (Bklyn.), The Lion's Den (NYC), Marcus Garvey Park Festival in Honor of African Dance Pioneers (Harlem), The Bowery Poetry Club (NYC), John Jay College/ Papa Ladji Memorial, Baba Olatunji Birthday Celebration/ Paramount Theatre (Upstate NY), Riverside Church (Harlem), The Harlem YMCA (Harlem), The Black Spectrum Theatre (Queens), Aims Of Modzawe Cultural Arts center (Queens), and The Afrikan Poetry Theatre's Annual Kwanzaa Celebration/ August Martin High school (Queens).
The members of Ballet International Africans come to you straight from the heart of African- America in hopes that you will all understand, feel, learn but most importantly be inspired to create change in your life and the lives of others towards a better world. Be hungry for the culture. The drum is our Spirit. We must feed our Spirit...Ballet International Africans. Ashe (Amen/ So Be It)