Nkisi
Jolie Ngemi draws on her Congolese roots to explore magical and spiritual practices.
- 08-09 Novembre 2024 De Singel — Anvers, BE
Inspired by states of trance, the fetishist movements of the Nkisi, and Congo's rituals, Jolie Ngemi draws from her roots to develop a work that navigates the visible and invisible borders of magical and spiritual practices. Animist beliefs still hold a significant place in Congo, but their expression is a taboo shadow in the face of Christianity, to which the population was forced to convert during colonization. Convinced of the importance of these cultures as guiding principles in a world in crisis, Jolie Ngemi seeks to make traditional Nkisi knowledge visible, to recall its beauty while rekindling its flame and healing power.
Bio
Jolie Ngemi is a contemporary and urban dance performer, choreographer and musician. In 2011 she collaborated with Ula Sickle and Yann Leguay on the solo « Jolie » (premiered in Seoul), touring Belgium, France, Holland, Poland and Austria. In 2013 she began a two-year training at P.A.R.T.S. in Brussels, and was spotted by choreographer Boris Charmatz, with whom she produced « Danse de nuit » and « 10 000 gestes », touring France, Brussels, London, Germany and Switzerland. In 2018 she created her first solo « Identity na ngayi » at La Bâtie – Festival de Genève. She founded her company AUC Production and the performing-arts festival BOSANGANI, whose second edition took place in Kinshasa in August 2022, bringing together European and African dancers for master classes, performances and round tables.