When I think about Sangea, I do not see it as a typical performance group. To me, it is where sisterhood takes shape. We are a collective of women connected by rhythm, stories, and the unspoken understanding that we are stronger together. I often describe it as a special and sacred space. In Sangea, I feel seen, valued, and celebrated not for who I am through action, presence and intention.
What makes it even more personal is how I found my place within this sisterhood. I, Ereni, joined Sangea alongside two biological sisters, Shasily and Gal. From the very beginning, they welcomed me with warmth and sincerity. They did not treat me as an outsider. They treated me like family. That sense of belonging reshaped how I understood sisterhood. It reminded me that true sisterhood is not limited to shared bloodlines. It is built through shared moments, mutual care, and the decision to uplift one another every chance we get.
Drumming Through Life’s Important Moments
Our journey together goes far beyond rehearsals and stage performances. We are often invited into the most intimate chapters of people’s lives. We have played at weddings, engagements, cultural gatherings, and even funerals. These events are not simply performances to us. They are moments where we carry the heartbeats of our community.
The drum has long been a symbol of connection. Every time we gather around it, we are reminded that music has always had the power to bring people together in joy and sorrow. It is humbling to know that people trust us with their most meaningful occasions. Bringing rhythm and presence to their special moments is a responsibility we carry with gratitude.
Diverse Roots, Shared Sisterhood
Sangea is a group woven from many cultural threads. Each of us carries stories from different corners of the world, yet when we come together, it feels like coming home. What connects us runs deeper than language or country. It is our shared values: family, food, and music, that create the bond we share. This sisterhood feels natural, it is instinctive, and at times, it feels spiritual.
Through Sangea, I have not only embraced the cultural roots of others but have reconnected with my own. I now understand other cultures with more depth and compassion. We do not simply perform together. We learn from one another. We listen. We honour the richness each person brings. I have learned that while our histories may look different, the stories of resilience, love, and community pulse with the same rhythm.
Choosing Connection in Challenging Moments
Of course, maintaining this sisterhood is not always easy. With many different personalities in the group, disagreements sometimes arise. There are moments when schedules clash or emotions run high. It can feel overwhelming, especially before important shows. There is pressure to get everything right.
But what grounds me, and all of us, is the joy we find when we dance together. That joy outweighs every challenge. We remind ourselves that beyond the stage, we are a family. We choose to support one another through the rough patches and celebrate the victories, no matter how small.
Carrying Culture, Building Legacy
My journey with Sangea started years ago when my husband and I founded Sangea Academy. We wanted to create a space where people who felt moved by West African drumming and dance could come and belong. Although I began with drumming, dance soon found its way into my life. Every step, every grounded movement, reminded me that I am connected to something bigger than myself.
My culture is not something abstract. It is alive. It lives in each performance, each shared rhythm. This work has become my passion, but also my responsibility. As a mother raising Afro-Mexican children, I understand that culture is more than expression. It is memory. It is identity. It is legacy.
Embracing Mentorship
In Sangea, mentorship is of the utmost importance. Younger dancers watch us closely. They learn not just the choreography, but the values that shape who we are. We understand that what happens on stage is only part of the picture. How we treat others, how we carry ourselves, and how we live as culture-bearers matter just as much.
By mentoring those who come after us, we are not only teaching them how to dance or drum. We are passing down discipline, joy, and the understanding that their heritage is a source of strength. That is how we protect Sangea’s future. By building each other up, we build something that can last.
Sisterhood as Leadership
Sangea means “female leader” From the very beginning, our director taught us that women are natural leaders and keepers of culture. In our group, each of us brings something unique. Whether during performances, rehearsals, or community events, we create a space where every woman can grow.
What excites me most is how our sisterhood inspires others. Young people see our unity. They see us stand tall in who we are. Through music and dance, we create moments where they can recognize their reflection. We show them that their roots are powerful. Their culture is not something to hide. It is something to celebrate.
Every performance plants seeds of confidence in those watching. We remind them that there is strength in knowing where you come from.
What I Hope People Take Away
Whenever I step off stage, I have this one hope: for people to walk away understanding the power of community and connection. Our work is a reminder that each person matters. Just like every instrument in our ensemble matters. Only by coming together can we create something meaningful.
Behind every rhythm, every dance, there is a story of friendship, perseverance, and trust. We are more than performers. We are sisters.
And together, we march forward.
