Ancestral memory. Generational bridges. Communal communication. Identity. Oral history.
About this Event
Dembis Thioung warmly invites you to
PENCHMI: THE AFRICAN DRUM + DANCE + CHANT PORTAL
Special XAWARÉ Series
with Special Guests (TBA)
in collaboration with Colet House
DATES
Thursday 29 January 2025
Thursday 26 February 2026
Thursday 12 March 2026
Thursday 23 April 2026
TIME
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
ENERGY EXCHANGE
£22.22 in advance via Afromoya
£25.55 on the door
Limited £11.11 concession tickets available in advance for the PENCHMI Village
(To access the discount code, please DM Maite)
✨ Kids are always FREE ✨
WHAT DOES “XAWARÉ” MEAN?
XAWARÉ is a traditional Senegalese royal ceremony where Griots gather to honour Kings and Queens. It literally means dialogue and conversation — celebrating the young, the elders, the ancestors, and the ones yet to come. A celebration of sovereignty and collective belonging.
African Music. Storytelling. Dance. Gifts. Food.
Ancestral memory. Generational bridges. Communal communication. Identity. Oral history.
WHAT IS PENCHMI?
The word PENCHMI (written “Penthmi” in Wolof) describes the timeless gathering of ancestors and elders, traditionally held under the sacred baobab tree at the heart of Senegalese villages. It is a space where matters of life, freedom, peace, love, and respect are shared and remembered.
These sessions are guided by the sacred Senegalese value of Teranga — the art of hospitality, generosity, and mutual support. Teranga teaches us that true wealth is not measured by what we own, but by how much we share.
NEW LOCATION
COLET HOUSE
51 Talgarth Road, W14 9DA
London (Hammersmith / Baron's Court)
Dembis Thioung is honoured to collaborate with Colet House for this new series of PENCHMI — XAWARÉ.
Colet House is a respected sanctuary in West London, offering a rich variety of practices including Whirling Dervish Mukabele, meditation, yoga, music, conscious movement, creative arts, and holistic workshops that nurture inner awareness and spiritual growth.
WHAT TO BRING?
Drums — a limited number will be provided, participants are encouraged to bring your own
Nourishing food & drinks to share
Comfortable clothing for movement
Open hearts and happiness always
Invite your friends, family and neighbours. Everybody is welcomed
WHO IS DEMBIS THIOUNG?
Dembis is a mesmerizing master of the dunduns—the melodic and hypnotic bass drums that constitute the heartbeat, melody, and soul of traditional West African ensemble djembe music.
A Bayefall at heart and Griot by blood, Dembis was born and raised in Dakar, West Africa he is now based in London, UK. Introduced to traditional and contemporary Senegalese music at a young age, he learned the art of drumming and dance.
Recognized as a skilled percussionist specializing in Dundun, Djembe, Sabar, and Asico drums, Dembis proudly identifies with his Senegalese legacy, carrying forward the teachings of his elders and ancestry.
DEMBIS is the Gatekeeper of THE PENCHMI portals and the visionary and initiator of the BENE TALLY BAND project.
BENE TALLY is the name of Dembis Thioung's neighborhood in the heart of Dakar, Senegal, literally translated as "ONE WAY" or "one road."
BENE TALLY band & friends, a self-funded project initiated in October 2019, is a collective of artists bringing the magical rhythms, heartbeat, and spirit of Africa to the UK. It has performed in venues like Hootenanny, Peckham Levels, The Tabernacle, The Post Bar, Folklore and Kindred Studios
Rooted in the dundun drum and West African traditions, the band blends Dembis' Griot and Bayefall heritage, fostering creative collaborations between dedicated and regular P ENCHMI Dundunfolas attendees and master African artists.
Every performance is unique and magical.
This transformative journey also invites the audience to participate, connecting individuals and communities through rhythms and movement, offering the healing benefits of West African ancestral wisdom.
STAY CONNECTED
📧 Email: [email protected]
Join Dembis Thioung’s open WhatsApp community group for updates, gatherings, and connection:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CJkAcvfpWxqAeHW3piBSk9
Follow us online:
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
www.dembisthioung.com
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Colet House, 151 Talgarth Road, London, United Kingdom
GBP 24.78
