By: Alieu Ceesay
In a vibrant fusion of rhythm, culture, and urgency, Flex Fuzion Dance Group unveiled its groundbreaking “Dance for Nature” initiative on Saturday, marking a significant shift from dazzling global stages to spearheading climate resilience in The Gambia.
The launch event, held under the sun-drenched skies of Banjul’s National Centre for Arts and Culture, drew a diverse crowd of artists, youth, policymakers, and environmental advocates, all united by the pulsating beat of drums and the call for planetary stewardship.
Flex Fuzion, the trailblazing Gambian performing arts collective founded by Ndey Fatou Jabang, has long been a beacon for youth empowerment. Established as a dance academy and entertainment company, it has trained over 200 young Gambians in dance, drumming, theater, and modeling since 2018, blending artistic excellence with entrepreneurship skills to transform talents into viable careers.
Under Jabang’s visionary leadership – a Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna and President of the African Committee for the World Federation of Acrobatic Dance and Dance Sports – the group has shattered barriers, particularly for women in male-dominated fields like percussion. Their all-female ensemble, Afriq Divas, has become synonymous with high-energy West African rhythms, promoting Gambian heritage while fostering soft skills in branding and communication.
The group’s journey from local workshops to international acclaim reads like a choreography of triumph. Just weeks ago, Flex Fuzion returned as national heroes from a landmark tour of China, headlining the Poly (Changzhou) Percussion Arts Festival and the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. There, they mesmerized thousands with jembe drums and dynamic dances, conducting masterclasses that bridged Gambian traditions with Chinese percussionists, and even earning standing ovations at venues like Volga Manor.
Earlier this summer, Gambian dancers from the academy shone in Moscow’s elite acrobatic rock ‘n’ roll program, honing disciplines from jazz to classical ballet under Jabang’s guidance. These feats not only elevated The Gambia’s cultural diplomacy but also underscored Flex Fuzion’s mantra: art as a bridge for global understanding and personal growth. Yet, amid these triumphs, the collective recognized a deeper rhythm – the urgent pulse of climate change threatening Gambian shores, mangroves, and communities. “Dance for Nature” emerges as Flex Fuzion’s first climate-focused project, harnessing the universal language of performance to ignite environmental awareness. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and in partnership with REFELA Gambia, the initiative will train over 45 participants – drawn from local dance troupes and masquerade groups – as climate action ambassadors. These performers will weave education into entertainment, using storytelling, music, and movement to mobilize communities against deforestation, coastal erosion, and rising seas.
At the launch, CEO Ndey Fatou Jabang unveiled the project’s ambitious scope with infectious passion. “This is more than just performance; it’s a powerful call to action for each and every one of us to take responsibility for our planet,” she declared to a sea of media and supporters. “By blending dance, music, and storytelling, these artists will educate and mobilize communities, igniting a movement that transcends cultural boundaries and inspires meaningful environmental stewardship.”
Jabang emphasized the beneficiaries’ role as messengers, poised to “carry the message of climate awareness far and wide, sparking change in their communities and beyond.” Her words echoed the group’s ethos, born from years of empowering women and youth to lead – on stage and off. The event resonated with endorsements from Gambian leaders, amplifying its call to arms.
Matty Jobe, Marketing and Visibility Manager at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, urged artists to embrace their activist mantle. “To show that through the creative arts, artists can help address the problems and challenges of today – from climate change and environmental issues to childcare, women’s empowerment, accountability, and so on,” Jobe said, highlighting art’s potential as a societal catalyst.
National Assembly Member for Banjul Central, Honourable Abdullah Njai, addressed the youthful crowd directly, drawing parallels between artistic expression and grassroots advocacy. “Most of us are young people, and we engage in these types of activities. So, suppose we can use art to disseminate information. In that case, I think we’ll be able to reach at least the most marginalized in our society. And when you have information, that’s where change starts.”
His counterpart from Banjul North, Momodou Lamin Bah, stressed collaboration: “We must collaborate, work together, and make sure that we achieve what we want to achieve in terms of addressing issues surrounding climate change.”
Capping the speeches was Ms. Yasin Joof, the Dance for Nature Project Youth Lead – herself a certified coach in acrobatic rock ‘n’ roll and a Flex Fuzion alumna who trained in Moscow. “Together, through the power of arts and community, we can inspire meaningful climate action and create a brighter future,” Joof proclaimed. “Let us carry the spirit of Dance for Nature forward and continue to champion the health of our planet.”
