Rooted in Movement
What the Village of Niodior Revealed About the Meaning of Ritual
By Ajara (as told to and organized with Niani B.)
In May, I traveled to Niodior, Senegal to deepen my understanding of Serer traditions—an essential thread in this year’s concert. I was drawn to the way Serer people express a deep spiritual connection to both community and the natural world. Many of their dances celebrate the joy of belonging…of being part of a people, a place, and a rhythm bigger than oneself.
Our upcoming concert is centered on ritual…not just in the ceremonial sense, but as the everyday practices that keep us grounded in spirit, nature, and each other. The Serer tradition, with its own ancient and well-documented religion, offered a living example of that. During my visit, I also sourced costumes and connected with a local women’s cultural group, thanks to our guest artist Seydi, who is originally from Senegal. Her mother, Maman Rokhy, and sister welcomed me into the community, and her sister generously translated throughout the experience.
Why Senegal?
Senegalese culture is not something you observe, it’s something you feel. It lives in the body and is woven into everyday life: in the movement of dance, the preparation of food, the beat of drums, and the way people gather. What I experienced wasn’t watered down or Westernized, despite colonization. The traditions remain rooted and unfiltered.
I spent a week in Senegal on this trip, and three unforgettable days in the village of Niodior. That visit became a powerful reflection on how ritual …through rhythm, repetition, and intention…shapes who we are and how we relate to one another.
A Journey to Niodior: Part 1
I woke up at 5 AM in Dakar to start the long journey to Niodior. My first taxi took me from Dakar to Mbour. The second taxi…more like a shared ride service…carried multiple passengers, picking up and dropping off people depending on the driver’s route. From Mbour, I caught another taxi to Djiffer, and from there we crossed by boat.
The boat was small (or medium depending on your interpretation), like a fisherman’s canoe, and held about 30 people. Though the ride was only around 90 minutes, it felt much longer with the rocking waves, the soft chatter of passengers, the sun on our skin, and the slow reveal of the village on the horizon. Once we arrived, we unloaded luggage and arranged a ride to Maman Rokhy’s home.
After resting, I met with the local women’s cultural group for our first session. We talked about their work, my goals, and how long I’d be staying. I asked about the gourd instruments they played, the purpose of their group, and the role of women in preserving cultural memory through dance and ritual. They offered a performance that evening…filled with sound, movement, and pride…and then I returned home for dinner and to prepare for the next day.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my time in Niodior.
Our upcoming concert brings this experience to the stage — where ritual, rhythm, and community meet.
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