Advocate of West African Cultural Traditions: Dancer, Choreographer, Singer, Storyteller...

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Aida was born in Ouakam, a fishing village at the heart of the Lebou people, also the guardians of the city of Dakar. Growing up in this rich cultural environment, she started dancing Sabar at a very young age. Together with other artists, she formed the group 'Jappo,' which means 'together' in Ouakam, Senegal. From this group, Aida was discovered by Landing Mane, one of the leading figures in Senegalese dance and music, who became her mentor and teacher in 1997.

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She expanded her repertoire to include djembe dancing and joined Ballets Africain de Sanghoma, leading to a tour with Daara-j both in Senegal and abroad. In 2009, Aida joined Bakalama de Thionkessyl and had the opportunity to teach Sabar and Djembe dances at the American school at the U.S. Embassy in Senegal.

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In 2010, Aida moved to the UK to work alongside Landing Mane, participating in various workshops and festivals such as Womad and Drum Camp with Ballet Nimba, with whom she toured the UK. Since then, she initiated AIDANCE, a community dance project that has offered weekly traditional dance classes with live drumming in central London for over a decade. This project also includes an annual festival that brings together West African traditional artists for workshops and performances.

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Aida's passion for West African cultural traditions, singing, storytelling, and community-related projects has led her to perform traditional dances around the UK, sharing her ancestral wisdom with professional dancers, children, senior citizens, young people, and refugees. She is currently working in various schools throughout the UK and holds regular weekly classes in London.