National Dance Troupe: Masters of Tradition, Survivors of “Pan Body” Living, Beg for a Miracle
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown – The Sierra Leone National Dance Troupe, the once-glorified custodians of our cultural heritage, are now performing their greatest feat yet: surviving in zinc shacks while waiting for government support that never quite dances its way to them.
Founded in 1963 to make Sierra Leoneans proud of their roots, the troupe now finds itself tangled in the roots of financial despair. With a dwindling membership that mirrors the country’s interest in supporting the arts, the troupe’s Welfare Officer, Ahmed Wurie, made a public plea on October 8, 2024, asking the government, cultural authorities, and pretty much anyone with a conscience to throw them a lifeline – or at least some decent housing.
“Remember the good old days when we were actually funded by the government? We brought home trophies from China, Italy, and Egypt,” Wurie reminisced, no doubt wondering if the trophies could be pawned for some extra funds. “But now, it’s like we’re dancing for survival, literally. Only 19 of us get paid by the government, and the rest? Well, they’re living off event tips – or divine intervention.”
The troupe’s living conditions are as tragic as their funding. After being evicted from their cultural village at 6 Mile, which was repurposed to store construction equipment, the dancers returned to their old haunt at Aberdeen – a place Wurie describes as “unfit for human habitation.” Apparently, being a national cultural asset entitles you to live in “pan bodies” – makeshift houses of zinc, complete with a side of dignity loss.
But don’t worry, the government gives them some attention. Just not enough to fix their living situation or help them get back to the international stage, where they once won accolades for their unique performances. “We rarely travel outside the country without bringing victory back to Sierra Leone,” Wurie boasted, before adding, “but these days, the Ministry of Tourism claims they can’t fund our trips abroad. I guess global cultural promotion just isn’t in the budget.”
In case anyone was wondering, the troupe hasn’t seen a new government hire since 2007. That’s right – it’s been 17 years, but who’s counting? Surely, 17 years of no job growth is just another cultural tradition, right?
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The troupe still makes their own musical instruments, from the “Balangy” to the “Shebureh”, proving that when life hands you government neglect, you craft a traditional drum and make some noise. Wurie also gave a shout-out to cultural musician Amie Kallon, who made it big in the U.S., using the troupe’s handmade Shebureh. Perhaps she can lend them a few dollars?
“Investing in the arts is investing in the soul of the nation,” Wurie concluded, trying to remind Sierra Leoneans that the troupe does more than dance—they preserve our ancestors’ stories. But right now, it seems their biggest story is one of survival.
So, if anyone out there feels like throwing a lifeline—or a paycheck—the National Dance Troupe will be here, dancing in their pan bodies, waiting for that miracle.