Nkisi
Jolie Ngemi draws on her Congolese roots to explore magical and spiritual practices.
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.