Traditional kanmtole dance gets a boost |04 March 2006

The participants, adults as well as school children, attended dance lessons held at the National Arts Council (Nac) headquarters in Victoria every Monday and Thursday after working hours.

Addressing the participants during a gathering held on Saturday evening to celebrate their achievements and to hand out certificates, the director of Nac, Emmanuel D’Offay, said that such an achievement was a great boost to our traditional kanmtole music and dance.

“It is very encouraging and it urges us to continue with the programme to teach any one who is eager to learn our traditional dance,” Mr D’Offay said.

Mr D’Offay said the fact that the participants have given nine months of their time to learn the kanmtole, which is an integral part of our culture, shows that our traditional dance and music will continue to flourish as more young people learn the various and sometimes tricky steps and rhythms.

Mr D’Offay congratulated the participants on their achievements and encouraged them not to lose the practice by participating as much as possible in events such as the bal bobes or kanmtole dance competition which are organised during the Creole Festival.

Mr D’Offay also congratulated the dance instructor, Marietta Matombe, for her hard work and devotion which has helped the participants to succeed.

For her part, Ms Matombe said that she is always full of pride to see the participants she has worked with succeed but admitted that she would like to see more young men and boys participate in the next session.

“This is the fifth batch of participants to receive certificates and this group has double reason to celebrate as their achievement blends well with this year’s national theme which is ‘Celebrate Seychelles’,” Ms Matombe said.

The youngest participants from the group – 10-year-old twins Sheryl and Estelle Lepathy from Anse Royale primary school – said they are very happy and proud now that they know how to dance the kanmtole and that they would continue to practice at home as they have a CD with all the tunes.

Meanwhile Ms Matombe said that the public will be informed soon of when to start enrollment for the next sessions but that any one who wishes to have more information can get in touch with her at Nac.