The Sissala tribe of north-west Ghana were drumming and dancing to their native sounds in front of commuters today at Buchanan bus station.
They’re a group of very fit and strong young men who have been waiting for two years to come over to Scotland.They were originally refused visas two years ago when the founders of the Kilsyth International Carnival Society (KICS), Rob Kay and Suleman Chebe, attempted to bring them over to play the G8 Summit at Gleaneagles in 2005.
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The drummers and dancers were chosen after a demanding audition process that took place over two days where several hundred people auditioned for the honour of representing their tribal culture on the world stage.Their main repertoire of traditional dances includes Yung Dassi (slave sticks), Gugo-Yilla, Tampani (both drum dances) and Jenyila (xylophone dance).
In 2007 the Lansang Community project received a £10,000 lottery grant to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery by bringing Gandawi over to Scotland to perform at the Kilsyth International Carnival (KIC).The KIC will be the first time that any of these dances have been shown outside of Ghana.
Other confirmed acts for the festival include David Sneddon, Eletricat Parade dancers from Brazil and American born singer-songwriter Indianna Gregg. Along with these acts there will be 30 others performing across four stages.
The carnival takes place on Sunday 12th August 2007 between 12 noon and 6:30pm. The event is licensed for 8000 people and entry is by programme only at £2.00 for adults and £1.00 for children.
Tickets can be purchased from the carnival website at www.kic.me.uk, or at Kilsyth Main Street Booth on Saturday, August 4th and August 11th. For more information on Gandawi and the Sissala tribe visit www.supportghana.co.uk.
For a more in depth look at the Sissala tribe check back on Wednesday 8th August 2007 when we will have an article containing interviews with the founders of the KIC.
