Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Who We Are
OUR FOUNDER & CEO
Baba James "Djuann" Ray, a native of Baltimore, MD, is a Man of God, a Dad, Granddad, US Army (Desert Storm)War Veteran, Scuba Diver, African drummer, stilt dancer. Djuann began his quest for his XMI life in 1990 while stationed in Colorado Springs, CO. Under the direction of Zohar Israel (Free Spirit Drummers & Dancers-New Orleans, LA). After learning from Zohar and a few others, he formed two West African Drum and Dance Troupes, first "The Tribal Messengers & Jabula Dancers" and later, "UMOJA African Dance Company." One of Baba Djuann's biggest inspirations was meeting and watching Asanne Konte and Kankouran West African Dance Co. rip up the stage at a shopping mall in Colorado. Little did he know that he would be right up the road from them just a few years later as they are based in Washington, DC. After relocating to Baltimore in 1996, while forming and building Xaala Mainama, Djuann performed with several dance companies such as "Return To Goree" w/Babacar Ndaiye and "Keur Khaleyi West African Dance Co" w/Jihan Von Hendricks & Aaron Turner. In December 1997 in the former Koban Recreation Center (Flag-house Housing Project), with just a few members of the community, Xaala Mainama Inc. (XMI) Cultural Arts Center was born. With Baba Djuann as the lead drummer and Tremontenia Morgan-Hamm as the lead dancer, Xaala Mainama African Arts Ensemble has performed on many stages such as Baltimore's AFRAM, Artscape, & Baltimore County's African American Heritage Festival. We have opened for the world-renowned Dick Gregory just to name a few. Though Xaala Mainama was born with drummers from Baltimore's own Park Vibe Drummers from Druid Hill Park, we have evolved ever since. In 2015 we merged with "Sistah Drummers," a beautiful all female drum troupe that has added a breath of fresh air to XMI. Xaala Mainama is now rejuvenated, growing, touring, teaching, and making tomorrow a healthy place to exist in Baltimore and beyond.
It's All About Dancing !!!
PATSY S. WALKER
NAIMAH ALUQDAH-MUHAMMAD
PATSY S. WALKER
I started dancing at a very young age. Always loved to dance modern, ballet and street dance aka now known as hip hop. My first dance teacher was
Sherrill and we practiced at the Enoch Pratt Free Library on S. Payson Street. Danced with the modern dance free library group from 11 to 13 years of age.
Danced with the Southwestern High Sc
I started dancing at a very young age. Always loved to dance modern, ballet and street dance aka now known as hip hop. My first dance teacher was
Sherrill and we practiced at the Enoch Pratt Free Library on S. Payson Street. Danced with the modern dance free library group from 11 to 13 years of age.
Danced with the Southwestern High School Dance troop while attending high school.
Became reacquainted with dance in my later year and this time I tried West African Dance which was introduced to me by a dear friend of mine who is well known in the world of West African Dance, Willa Walker, no relations but our dance spirit connected and she encouraged me to start taking classes with Babacar N’Diaye who was from the National Dance Company of Senegal, West Africa. Babacar, created his dance company, Return to Goree. I was a member of his dance class for many years until he left for California.
Jihan Von Hendricks, my second West African Dance teacher, was a lead dancer for Return to Goree. Jihan eventually created her own West African Dance Company, Keur Khaleyi African Dance and Cultural Institute, Inc. I was a member of her dance class, community dance company and also a member of the dance company Keur Khaleyi. I remain a dedicated member of her dance class to this day.
I currently am studying under Assane Konte, the director and founder of the Kankouran West African Dance company. I have danced and performed with the community class. I absolutely have learned a great deal of movement and understanding from studying under this master teacher. I am currently still a student with Kankouran West African Dance Company.
I am always a student that has the desire to dance and perform.
Dance is an art and every opportunity; I will dance and perform whenever possible.
Dancing with Xaala Mainama, Inc. is an extension of the great teaching, learning about the culture and demonstrating all that I have learned from my journey with the Art of West African Dance. Xaala Mainama allows me to bring my love of dance created by the beat of the drums.
With the expertise of the drums this ensemble brings to the floor, I am able to create and bring to the floor, all that I have learned in my 20-year long journey of West African Dance.
DANIELLE HINTON
NAIMAH ALUQDAH-MUHAMMAD
PATSY S. WALKER
Dynamic African Dancer
Full Bio Coming Soon
NAIMAH ALUQDAH-MUHAMMAD
NAIMAH ALUQDAH-MUHAMMAD
NAIMAH ALUQDAH-MUHAMMAD
Stupendous African Dancer
Full Bio Coming Soon
Give The Drummers Some !!!
CARL E . ALLEN
Explosive Drummer
Full Bio Coming Soon
AARON TURNER
Aaron Burnett-Turner, Sr., has spent most of his life studying traditional African music, history and culture. He started with Sankofa African Dance Theater in Baltimore, MD., in 1996 at the age of 10 under Kauna Ajanku and many other guest artists Menes Yahudah, Salim Ajanku and many others. He performed his first showcase at the age of 12 in 1998, In 1999 he became a member of APGADS African Drum Ensemble where he was given many opportunites to travel and perform nationally and internationally. With APGADS, he performed at NASA for the Smithsonian Museum. They were the first African dance company in history to perform there. He then moved on to become a musical director with Return To Goree African Dance Company with directors, Willa Walker and Babacar Ndiaye and studied with the world renowned Master Drummers, Medoune Gueye, Kissima Diabate, and Assane Mbaye and Fode Camara, Of note is the fact that he performed for the unveiling of Barack Obama's wax figure during his inaugural weekend celebration at Morgan University's Concert Hall. He then became a co-founder of Keur Khaleyi African Dance Company, where he instructed children's and adults drum classes in addition to performing with the company. Last year he was a featured drummer at the 50 anniversary celebration of the Great Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore. MD. Mult-talented musical director, Teacher, Drummer, Dancer, World Traveler, Prolific Performer. Aaron Burnett-Turner is a force in music of all cultures.
BYRON JOHNSON
Byron Johnson was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where he came to love music at a very young age. From the age of 6, he played trap set, bongos, congas, djembe and other instruments throughout his life. He attended Connexions Community Leadership Academy School for the Arts, graduating in 2010, and has been playing and studying West African percussion for two decades, which began at Connexions in 2003. He studied under Sankofa Dance Theatre with Salim and Jumoke Ajanku, Some of his teachers include Mahiri Keita, Weedie Braimah, Sekouba Oularé, Mamady Condé, Famaya kouruma, Amadou Kouyate and Menes Yahudah.
Sankofa Dance theatre, Urbanfoli, Njò Abulè, Malidelphia are the main group's he's traveled and performed with. Byron has been teaching African history and rhythm for 12 years now. He has various performances to date from all over the United States to Costa Rica to Conakry, Guinea, Hawaii, and Canada. One of his many goals, is studying to broaden his horizon everyday by obtaining more information through the oral and musical traditions of West African culture.
BARSHEID BOWMAN
Outstanding Drummer
Full Bio Coming Soon
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.