Sahi On Ko Djony to Perform African Dance/Drumming at Springville Road Library on February 21

 

What: Sahi On Ko Djony performance of African Dance and Drumming

When: Wednesday, February 21, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Where: Springville Road Regional Library, 1224 Old Springville Road

Details: Sahi On Ko Djony, a West African Dance and Drumming Company, will give a free performance celebrating African folklore as part of the Birmingham Public Library's celebration of Black History Month.

Follow Sahi On Ko Djony on Facebook. For more information, click here. If interested in classes, call 205-639-7626 or send an email to sahionkodjony@gmail.com. 

Barry Johnson,  co-founder of Sahi on Ko Djony West African Dance and Drumming Company, performs at a Bards & Brews spoken word poetry event last year.

Birmingham, Ala. - Come celebrate African culture, dance and drumming during a free performance by Sahi On Ko Djony from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. this Wednesday, February 21, at Springville Road Regional Library, 1224 old Springville Road. The event is among 81 held during February as part of the Birmingham Public Library's celebration of Black History Month. 

Sahi On Ko Djony, a West African Dance and Drumming Performing Company, will showcase its unique artistic expression of African culture. Birmingham's Barry Johnson is founder of Sahi on Ko Djony West African Culture Enrichment Program and co-founder of Sahi on Ko Djony West African Dance and Drumming Company.

In an interview with BPL Public Relations Director Roy Williams, Johnson shared details of how Sahi on Ko Djony was created - and what attendees can expect at Springville Road Library on Wednesday.

BPL: For those unfamiliar, describe the Sahi On Ko Djony West African Dance and Drumming Company experience and what attendees will see on Wednesday.

Johnson: Our mission is to LEARN, PRESERVE, AND PRESENT Traditional Dance, Music, and Folklore of West Africa and the African Diaspora. We will provide traditional dance, music, and songs and will give those attending the opportunity to be a part of the rich and exhilarating energy of that experience.

BPL: For those unfamiliar, describe Sahi On Ko Djony: when founded, ages of members, types of activities you do. 

Johnson: The dance company was founded in 2019 by Maria Sullivan, Ronique Carter, and myself. Our company members are from various backgrounds to include High School students, nurses, teachers, engineers, etc… The Cultural Enrichment Program was founded in 1999 by myself and the late Bertha Davis, who served as the president of the Birmingham Housing Authority’s Resident Council.

BPL: What does Sahi On Ko Djony  mean? 

Johnson: Sahi On Ko Djony is a term from the Fulani people of Guinea, West African that means “The Time Is Now!” 

BPL: What led you to found the Sahi On Ko Djony Cultural Enrichment Program? 

Johnson: In 1999, I was summoned by Ms. Bertha Davis, the resident council president of the Birmingham Housing Authority, to create an African cultural enrichment program for the at-risk youth who were residents of the Birmingham Housing Authority. These youth were facing numerous challenges in their environment- Drugs, teen pregnancies, gang membership and so forth. 

Due to 9/11, my involvement in numerous military deployments resulted in the program being mostly dormant for a number of years. In 2017, upon my retirement from a 38-year career in the USAF, the program reignited and grew to include Black Star Academy and Northside Christian Academy, schools located in the city of Birmingham. Students from those outreach programs, are presently members of the performing company as well. 

BPL: You have demonstrated the unique experience of African drumming at Birmingham Public Library Bards & Brews events and other places across the city for years. What led you to learn the art of African drumming? 

Johnson: When I was a child, I would hear African drumming on television and always knew that it was a part of my being, and I loved it! I was in the marching and concert bands in High School, the beginning of my drumming journey, but drumming of the African Diaspora is what holds my heart to this day! 

BPL: How can people interested in participating in Sahi On Ko Djony and your other programs join? 

Johnson: We have a Facebook page, and are presently in the process of creating a website. We can be reached at 205-639-7626 or contacted by email at sahionkodjony@gmail.com. 

BPL: Any other upcoming programs coming up where the public can see Sahi on Ko Djony or you perform? 

Johnson: We have several church, school and private performances coming up in the near future, however, they are for those patrons. We plan on having a community dance class once a quarter and are presently planning “An Evening With Sahi On Ko Djony” to take place in June in celebration of the Juneteenth Holiday, which keeps us extremely busy in the month of June. 

For those interested in drum classes, they are held at 11:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at the Crescent Cultural Community Center, located at 1121 Tuscaloosa SW, Birmingham, AL. 

BPL: Anything else to add? 

Johnson: We ask that anyone interested in more events follow us on Facebook or reach out to us via phone or email. 

BPL: Thanks in advance for this interview. We look forward to your Feb. 21 performance at Springville Road Library