Manga African Dance Brings The Cultural Traditions of Africa To Spivey Hall

Thirty years ago Ramatu Afegbua-Sabbatt, a native of Idah in Kogi State, Nigeria, started her own dance company: Manga African Dance in Atlanta.

The company focuses on the many cultural traditions of Western, Central, and Southern Africa. Afegbua-Sabbatt began her career in the arts at a young age with drumming, dancing, and acting. After moving to Atlanta in 1988 with her husband, she decided the city needed an outlet to learn about African culture and dance. She wanted to teach her students about the authentic African culture, not just the perception of what it might look like.

In 1990, she decided to create Manga African Dance, a place where everyone could learn about indigenous African cultural arts through dance, drums, fashion, songs, and art.