“Prior to your existence, there was a void in the community of real, educational, entertaining, informative African culture.”
— NAACP San Jose / Silicon Valley Chapter
Sharing the spirit of Africa
— OrikI Arts —
Known for artistic excellence and cultural integrity, Oriki is a nonprofit performing arts company that provides opportunities for our communities to have a shared experience of the real Africa through a unique combination of dance, drama, music, poetry, chants, folk stories and the drum. From outreach programs in local schools to season productions, community workshops and performances, Oriki seeks to provide various ways for participants to experience Africa and the African way of life.
Programs
“Your performance was outstanding! You taught, you entertained, and you involved our students.”
– AG, Special Day Class Teacher, San Mateo, California
Sharing Africa is a fun, colorful, high energy and interactive presentation of Africa through dance, songs, chants and drumming. Targeted at K – 12th grade students and teachers, the program features Oriki’s ensemble cast of highly skilled and talented dancers, drummers, storytellers and singers. Through Sharing Africa, we expose students to world cultures different from their own in a fun and interactive way, therefore, sowing the seeds for a future generation of citizens that can appreciate and celebrate the richness of our diversity. Another strength of our Sharing Africa program is our ability to adapt it to meet the needs of children in the zero to five age group and to non-traditional school settings, like youth centers, group homes, juvenile halls, community agencies, churches, etc.
Each year, Oriki presents a full theatrical stage production that provides opportunities for our communities to have a shared experience of the real Africa, its people and their way of life through a unique combination of dance, drama, music, poetry, chants, folk stories and the drum.
Our 2024/25 season production is SANKOFA – a multi-disciplinary presentation of the African story and the dispersal of its children from the continent to the diaspora. Sankofa is a high energy, colorful and interactive celebration of the common journey of Africa’s children in drums, dance and music. This presentation will feature balafon music, djembe percussion, songs and dances from the ancient Mali Empire interwoven with Pan Steel drums of the Caribbean, the North American saxophone and chilling renditions of Negro Spirituals. The audience will be invited to participate in a finale that celebrates Africa’s rich and proud heritage.
Our hands-on drum circles and workshops are ideal for all ages. Can be offered as a one-off or a series of sequential learning sessions. Ideal for schools, colleges, community, church organizations, corporate retreats, etc.
“What is perhaps the most impressive feature to Oriki in addition to the spectacular dramatic elements – is its ability to design workshops for a wide variety of audiences and expectations.”
– JB, Center for African Studies, Stanford University
From private gatherings to corporate functions and community events, Oriki’s drumming and dance ensemble brings colorful, electrifying and enchanting performances that echo the dances, songs and drum beats of the ancient Mali Empire
Now in its 22nd year, Oriki’s Rites of Passage program is a manhood training program that presents African American boys (13-17) a clear path to manhood through a multi-layered approach that involves: coaching, mentoring, leadership development and life skills activities. The program is anchored on eight principles borrowed from traditional African ceremonies, namely: Love for self and others, Respect for self and others, Honor for all that God has made, Strength to Soar above distractions, Wisdom to know what is right, Courage to stand up for what is right, Patience to take your turn and Pride in who you are.
Through interactive and non confrontational workshops, roundtable discussions, team building activities, community service projects and mentoring; participants learn to work in teams, enhance their communication skills and creativity; affirm their sense of identity, self esteem, love, respect, and a good grounding in society.
Sponsors and Community Partners
