Doundoumba Festival of Kourosa
Traditional Mandingue dance · Kourossa, Guinea
The festival
The doundoumba is "the dance of strong men": the mandingue warrior dance, spectacular and energetic, performed at the frantic rhythm of percussion. In Kourossa, its cradle in Upper Guinea, a whole festival is dedicated to it to convey a heritage threatened with oblivion: folk troupes, percussionists and dancers from all over the country celebrate a living identity.
The 5th edition, in June 2025, was presided over by Moussa Moïse Sylla, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Crafts, a sign of national support for the preservation of traditional Guinean dances. The Guinean press also attests to an edition held in December 2025 under the name of FESTIKO (Festival de la Danse Dondoumba); the numbering of editions varies according to the sources.