Call it an adventure, a journey, a trip of a lifetime, a sojourn - a trip to Guinea is all of those things  and so much more. If you have an open-mind, a love of dance and music, or a free-spirit join African Aloha in Guinea Conakry, February 5th -20th, 2019.  We will be exploring this beautiful  country with grit and grace through its dances, music, marketplaces, and nightlife. Accompanied every step of the way with our talented teachers and experienced guides. Classes will be taught by dancers from the premier dance companies in Guinea, such as Ballet Mervielles de Guinee, and Ballet Joliba. Class will be taught at a level so you can feel competent and challenged. We will dive deep into how Guinean music, dance and way of life touches each of us.

A typical day will feature two dance classes and a song class/culture talk. There may also be dundun dance, drum and cooking classes as well as opportunities to learn Susu.

Classes will be Monday through Friday, except when traveling.

Typical Schedule:

7:30 - 9:00am             Breakfast

9:30 - 11:00am             Dance Class

4:30 - 6:00pm             Dance Class

1:30 -  2:30pm              Song Class/Culture Talk

4:30 - 6:00pm             Dance Class

6:30 - 8:00pm             Dinner 

To have a well rounded experience we will stay in three locations, the first being Conakry the bustling capital of Guinea, where we will attend  local ceremonies known as a Dundunba, Dembadon and abar. We will also attend the rehearsal of a national ballet company, participate rehearsals with Ballet Mervielle  de Guinea and see live music performance(s) at the most exciting live music venue Fougou Fougou Faga Faga.  For the second week we will continue our studies in the outskirts of Conakry in semi-rural Bentourayah, which is located on an estuary with panoramic views. Then will finish our workshop on the tropical quiet island of Roume which is known for its fishing village, beautiful beaches and baobab trees. 

For people of African descent, there will be a special evening of ceremony to incorporate, integrate and receive the healing from this powerful homecoming of traveling to Guinea.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy, explore, learn and share in this exciting journey to Guinea, West Africa.

Our teachers are selected based on their knowledge and ability to teach dance. They are selected from Guinea's most revered dance companies. Here is some information about our teachers.

Bountouraby Sylla

Ballet Merveilles de Guinea

Principle dancer

Mabinty Bangoura

Ballet Taiyelli

Director of Dance

Lala Camara

Ballets Afracains

Here is some general information about the meals we will share while in Guinea.

All meals will be served family style.

Breakfast will generally be an offering of fresh fruits - pineapple, papaya, watermelon, oranges; fried or boiled eggs, baguette bread, with cheese, margarine,  and jam. Coffee (instant) and tea with milk and sugar will be provided.

Lunch will feature a rice and sauce dish with a bountiful salad. The rice will often be locally grown called "barabara" it is slightly larger than the rice that we often eat and has a nuttier flavor. The accompanying sauces will usually feature fish and seafood. and sometimes chicken or beef. It will be prepared with a more mild seasoning that you can then add hot peppers to to spice it up.

Our dinners will vary, from fried or grilled whole fish or chicken to a Senegalese style fish and rice dish. We may also have spagetti with meat sauce or a different dish of our chef's creation. A salad will be served at dinner as well.

Coffee and tea will generally be available all day. Along with fresh fruit, such as bananas and oranges. If other snacks are desired there will definitely be opportunity to stock up. 

U.S. citizens require a visa to enter the country of Guinea. To apply for one you will need send your U.S. passport, proof of yellow fever as well as other paperwork that will be provided after your register. Once you mail you visa application it will take about a week after receipt for them to process it and send it back to you. 

 Guinea is a country of many challenges.  To help you to stay healthy during your trip please take a look at the cdc's recommendations. 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/guinea  

You will need a valid passport to travel the country of Guinea.  The processing time to apply for or renew your passport is approximately 6-8 weeks. You can find information on how to apply for one by visiting the U.S. State Department's website by copying and pasting the link provided here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html 

Please pack, pack and pack. Although many items that we think are normal to buy are available, lots are still not available or may take a full day of searching for across town, so please make sure to pack everything you will need and are accustomed to.

Iman Bance is the owner of African Aloha. She created it as an extension of who she is, having been born and raised on the island of O'ahu  of African (via Barbados) and Japanese parents. Iman has been traveling to Guinea since 2012 and has traveled there 6 times including living there for a full year. She is well versed in the dances of Guinea, having studied it for 13 years and is very knowledgable in the customs and culture. You are in good hands and no detail will be overlooked.