MAOBONG
BIO
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Percussionist, Workshop Host & Costume Designer
E-Mail: booking@maobongoku.com
MaObong Oku a multi talented African Artist, A beautiful and dynamic Performer, Workshop Host and Percussionist from the Efik tribe of Calabar, Nigeria.
Filled with the energy of a child, the wisdom of a wise woman and the ageless spirit of a dancer, she has touched many audience's hearts. When you come see her perform, you will be mesmerized by how she radiates to the beat of the drum with an aura of light, grace and sophistication. Her dancing debut started as a child with the "Abang" dance that was held in traditional festivals and ceremonies in her hometown. Her natural talent and passion lead her to pursue her dream as a dancer, starting from her hometown, Calabar, Cross-River State, where she was educated and trained in all forms of African dance.
As a young woman, she became a percussionist and dancer with various traditional dance groups in Nigeria. MaObong took her childhood dream outside of Nigeria where she rebranded her life as an independent performer in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As she became popular, she began working with various dance groups, musicians, organizations and choreographers alike. After years of performing, she decided to share her deep knowledge, experience and philosophy of African dance and music with others. She has travelled across Canada performing at various events, festivals and schools, promoting and teaching Canadian children African culture dance and drumming through workshops and in artist in residence programs.
Sharing her talent and passion for her rich cultural heritage has made her a goodwill ambassador. As a humanitarian, MaObong has promoted services, counselling and self- empowerment for women and youth in Cross River State and Canada. Through her various fundraising projects she has donated to local hospitals, special needs education centres, retirement homes and orphanages in Nigeria.
Through the years, she journeyed back home where she organized the African Friends project, a cross-cultural exchange program for children, youth and teachers from Africa and Canada. Its’ mission is to educate and promote cultural literacy by bringing art cultural traditions into the classroom.
She has taught traditional dance, drumming, costume making, and coordinated school performances with video documentation and photography for the Exchange Program. In addition, MaObong started a writing correspondence program between African and Canadian children. This successful program provides a deep connection between the two cultures, bringing them closer together and she wishes to continue to connect children and youth around the world through culture.
Her dance and drum workshops integrate the traditional dance and rhythm with the art of healing for personal inspiration, growth and
spirituality. Her amazing talent and patience to work and create with special needs student has given her the opportunity to provide outreach programs for young people with disabilities and seniors.
She has produced and staged various dance and music show cases in Vancouver. This success led her to develop her African heritage dance and drum ensemble, Kokoma, based in Vancouver. The aim of this performance company is to renew Africa's ancient Art of dance and rhythm, made up of daughters and sons of African heritage whose passion is to share their Artistic talent and culture with the world.
MaObong is the founder, artistic director, choreographer and costume designer for Kokoma. Her wisdom and creativity has led "Kokoma" on a journey which has led the company to become the most authentic heritage dance ensemble. This is a group of the best local dancers and drummers that MaObong personally selected to participate in her choreographed performances across Canada.
As one of Vancouver's favourite performers, she is a successful entertainer of children, teens and adults. Always be ready to clap your hands, sing along and move to the soothing rhythms and movement of the Coastal people of West Africa.
MaObong presents workshops and performances for schools, festivals, camps, special needs, seniors, corporate and private events.
She has also recorded her first CD, "UWA MI — My Destiny"
