Diaspora Dance and Sadiki Educational Safari Present the...

Afro-Colombian Tour 2015

July 12-19 2015

Cartagena & Palenque de

San Basilio

South America

Afro Colombian Tour 2015

Mesi Walton has been traveling the world as a cultural explorer since 1996. Her first trip to Spain was pivotal as it peaked her interest in finding the historical roots of Africans in each country she visited. Her explorations took her to countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Brazil, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Bermuda. Needless to say, she was hooked on traveling! Traveling has given Ms. Walton the opportunity to focus on researching a topic she grew to become passionate about. African people in the diaspora and their cultural practices, as it relates to performing arts. She embarked on a one year anthropological study in Venezuela and Colombia. While in Venezuela, Mesi was able to study dance, music and theory at the Fundación Bigott, an institution that specializes in Traditional Venezuelan performing arts. She was able to obtain over 10 certifications on various styles of Afro-Venezuelan Dance and Music as well as perform at the Bigott several times. Additionally, Ms. Walton was invited to rehearsals with the world renowned Vasallos del Sol where she also gave workshops in African dance. From these experiences in the city of Caracas, Ms. Walton traveled to the small towns to view all of the celebrations, to interview the cultural ‘jalis’ of the tradition and to of course - dance and sing in the festivals. Mesi then traveled to Colombia where she studied and later performed with her company, Nsaa Dance Ensemble in Buenaventura. Since her travels, Ms. Walton has been invited to perform at festivals in Colombia, conducted dance workshops at the Venezuelan Embassy and has formed her own company, Diaspora Dance bringing performances, workshops and presentations to schools and festivals around the world. She is committed to continuing her studies of Africans in the Diaspora and hopes to bring more people along for the knowledge.

Sadiki Educational Safari Inc."Since 1997, Sadiki has been traveling to Africa with teens and providing cultural field trips to educate, elevate and empower young people through the art history and culture of Africa.  We are strengthening the Diaspora, one child at a time."(TM)

Mesi Walton

RSVP by February 15, 2015773 592 3271

diasporadance@gmail.com(additional paperwork sent upon

RSVP)

www.diasporadance.com www.sadikisafari.com

Afro Colombian Tour 2015

During this 7 day cultural exchange geared toward youth and families (adults are welcome) you’ll get a taste of Colombia, South America from an Afro-Colombian perspective. You will fly into Cartagena, a beautiful and historic city on the Atlantic coast, that boasts beautiful beaches and nearby islands. We will spend time absorbing the museums, cuisines and bustle of the city. We will visit a school on one of the neighboring islands responsible for educating a large number of Afro Colombian youth. Next we travel to Palenque to learn about how this community has been self governing for centuries. Learn about the Bantu roots, and music such as Champeta and be immersed in the culture. Your life will never be the same after embracing the rich and dynamic Afro-Colombian culture.

Afro Colombian Tour 2015

Afro-Colombian Tour 2015 - African Roots in Colombia

Tour Price$2,400.00This price includes roundtrip airfare, hotel stay (double occupancy), travel in the country, two meals per day and travel insurance.

Payment ScheduleDown Payment of $500.00 due by February 15, 2015Second Payment of $1000 due by April 15, 2015Remaining Payment of $1,900 is due by May 15, 2015

Please make all payments to Diaspora Dance c/o Colombia Tour 2015.* Cancellation Policy: If cancellation is made 6 weeks prior to the trip, there will be a 50% refund of total fees paid to date. There is NO refund for cancellations made within 6 weeks of the trip.

Tour Activities•Visit to a local school•Beach excursion•Visit to Cartagena landmarks•Shopping and traditional meals •Drum and language workshops•Additional activities according to interest

Palenque de San Basilio

Palenque de San Basilio is the only surviving maroon town in Colombia and has been registered as a Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. When you walk down the dusty paths and gaze at the stars illuminated at nightfall, you may think you’re in a small town. Add the sounds of the drums, the warmth of the people and the language mixed with words from the Bantu language family and you know you are in an African village.