World Premiere
If you haven't eaten rice...
Aline Sitoue, a Diola Woman
March 18th 2023
Jamaica Performing Arts Center
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"Vibrant" "Exciting" "Simply Outstanding"6
Aline Sitoue Diatta was born in the southern region of Casamance, Senegal. She is said to have had a 'vision' in 1941, which called upon her to return home to her people, establish a shrine, struggle against the French colonial disruption of traditional life and imposition of taxes. She is considered a national Senegalese heroine for her work with anti-colonial campaigns the Second World War.
The Diola (Jola, Ajamat) people inhabit the well-watered coastal plain of the Senegambia region between the countries of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. They are wet-rice farmers and have been growing rice at least a thousand years. Traditionally , they were governed by village councils of elders. There are various Diola groups with different languages; Banjaal, KuDiola, Banjo, Fogni, Gusilay, Karon, Mlomp, Kuwaataay, Kasa to name a few.