WACONGO DANCE COMPANY

Artist Biographies

ELIE KIHONIA
Artistic Director

Elie Kihonia is the founder of Afrika Yetu and UMOJA African Arts Company. He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and exposed to both traditional and neo-traditional African music and dance at an early age. He began performing at age nine with various youth choirs and in 1980 joined the international GEVAKIN Choir/The Musical Bridge. As a multi-instrumentalist who plays both African percussion and contemporary instruments, his expertise includes the xylophone, mbira, hand and set drums, keyboard, accordion and guitar.
 

While in Zaire, Mr. Kihonia developed his passion for keeping the roots of African arts alive, and he became a pioneer in intermixing traditional and neo-traditional music. In 1989, under his direction, GEVAKIN toured Africa, Europe and the United States. Seeing the need to introduce and promote Africa’s rich and diverse history, culture, and traditions through song and dance, Mr. Kihonia became a co-founder of UMOJA African Arts Company, in order to create an organization in the U.S. to unify and promote the arts of diverse African cultures. He performs, teaches, choreographs, writes, and produces multi-cultural productions internationally.

Mr. Kihonia has been associated with the Ministry of Culture and Arts in his native Democratic Republic of Congo, as the international Director of Production. He served as an artist consultant for the Museum of African Art in New York, The Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, PA, The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and various Universities such as Carnegie Mellon University, The University of Pittsburgh, La Roche College and Natal University of Durban in South Africa.  Elie Kihonia was the driving force behind UMOJA African Arts Company in becoming an internationally known African dance company. Elie has collaborated with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Dance Council ,the Three Rivers Arts Festival as a production consultant, and with individual artists and groups such as Miriam Makeba, Sharon Katz and the Peace Train, Yondo Sister, Soukous Stars, Pepe Felly Manuaku, Liz Lerman, David Fanshawe, Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher of the African Ceremonies and The Pittsburgh City Brass, The Bach Choir and Dance Alloy. He also wrote music for the Pittsburgh Symphony and various performing arts organizations throughout the United States.
 

In 2000, Mr. Kihonia has developed as part of the new millenium, Safari, Afrika Yetu’s educational residency program and tours with the WACONGO Dance Company. Elie is currently conducting healing drum workshops with various health and Aids-related organizations such as the Mercy Behavior Health Center, Persad, Pittsburgh AIDS Task force and Citipark/Senior Citizens, the Marimba House in South Africa.

In 2002, Mr. Kihonia made history in Salvador/Bahia, Brazil leading and  participating with his group of 10 percussionists from various African countries, who led a parade of 600 percussionists from Brazil in the first African Carnival ever done in Brazil. In 2003, Mr. Kihonia was the Music Producer for the 2003 National Urban League Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

ROGER TSHIKO ISSAKO
Director of Music

Director of Music for WACONGO Dance Company as well as at the African Pavilion in Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Park in Orlando, Fl. Roger Tshiko Issako is a national of Democratic Republic of Congo, who holds the distinct title "Master Drummer," having mastered several indigenous drum styles and rhythms including the Ngoma, Bonda, Conga and Bonyoma and Kongo rhythms. Born in Mbandaka, Equatorial region, Mr. Issako is the son of a great Griot who began his musical training under his father's tutelage. Mr. Issako began his professional career with various Ballets from Democratic Republic of Congo including, Ballet Elima, ChemChem Yetu and more. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean as a member of the Congolese National Ballet. Mr. Issako also formed his own company, which toured throughout France where Mr. Issako resided for 8 years. During his stay in France, Mr. Issako was a resident Master drummer at Euro-Disney before transferring at Walt Disney World's African Pavilion at the Animal Kingdom in Orlando where he leads the African Music group. Currently, Mr. Issako serves as WACONGO's Director of Music and oversees the training of Company musicians.

In addition, Roger is an instructor for adult community drum classes and as lead drummer, performs with WACONGO throughout the world. Mr. Issako has served as music director for several African dance companies and university dance departments across the United States, including Temple University in Philadelphia and the University of Pittsburgh along with various Dance Companies in Florida. He has recorded with various Congolese Musicians including Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide and Soukous Stars.

Principles:

BOFENDA "BOKULAKA" ILONDA

(Drumming Principle)

His career as a professional contemporary drummer began in 1974 with Afrisa International of Tabu Ley Rochereau.  He also has had the opportunity to play with some of the biggest names in popular music from Africa and Jamaica including Franco, Kanda Bongo Man, Jimmy Cliff and many more.  During his career, he has traveled with various international groups throughout Africa, Europe, Australia, South America, Canada and The United States.

DJEMA BOSAWA

(Singing Principle)

Djema Bosawa is the lead WACONGO dancer as well as being our lead singer.  Djema demonstrated her talent at a very young age.  She trained with some well-known dancers and choreographers from Congo.  In 1994, she had the chance to demonstrate her talent to an international audience, when she toured to African cities such as Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and Abidjan (Ivory-Coast). Her participation in the tour with Kiti Na Mesa in 1995 led her to perform for the Olympic games in Atlanta, GA.

ISSAKO KONGO

(Masquerade Principle) 

Issako Kongo has been dancing professionally since 1977. She toured with various Dance Groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and around the world. In 1993, she lived and performed in Spain and Belgium.  In 1994 and 1995, She traveled to various African cities including Abidjan, Dakar and Bangui.  In 1996, she toured throughout the United States with Kiti Na Mesa and UMOJA African Arts Company.

BASELE ANTOINETTE EKILA

(Dancing Principle)

Known by her fans as “Mama Anto”, Basele Antoinette Ekila started her career in 1979 in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of Congo. She danced with various Congolese groups and toured Africa, Europe and the United States.  Between 1980 and 1996, she toured with Kiti Na Mesa in Spain, Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States where she joined UMOJA African Arts Company.  Along with the other members of WACONGO Dance Company, Ms. Basele has toured in Brazil and South Africa. Ms. Basele presently dances with WACONGO Dance Company as well as at Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL.