Step into the spirit of Côte d’Ivoire.
A cultural immersion through rhythm, movement, and sacred tradition.
Drums, dances, and stories that carry the voice of the ancestors,
shared with you through the work of master artist Vado Diomande.
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"Feverishly intricate rhythms from drummers who knew countless ways to subdivide a beat and make it jump."
The New York Times
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"Stunning athleticism and radiant joy"
Berkshire Edge
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"Exuberant, joyful performance of traditional African dance"
Berkshire Edge
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"Very joyous and loving and warm"
The Morning Call
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"Virtuosic polyrhythms"
Berkshire Edge
Begin Your Journey
There are many ways in.
Choose the one that calls to you:
Get your Djembe
Bring home a handcrafted djembe, tuned by Vado for resonance and depth.
Each purchase includes a free video lesson to help you begin your rhythm journey.
Learn Drum & Dance
Join classes taught by Vado and the Kotchegna team, online or in person.
Rooted in tradition, these lessons connect movement and rhythm to the pulse of the Motherland.
Learn The Culture
Go beyond technique.
Access educational materials, stories, and teachings that reveal the heart of Côte d’Ivoire: its ceremonies, masks, music, and meaning.
The Heart of Kotchegna
Kotchegna means Messenger in Mahou, the language of Vado Diomande’s people.
Raised in the village of Toufinga, Vado carries the sacred traditions of drum, dance, and mask through rhythm, presence, and deep ancestral connection.
Vado’s work is a living message passed down through generations.
Now based in New York City, Kotchegna is a home for these living traditions — a place where the spirit of Côte d’Ivoire continues to speak through performance, teaching, and cultural sharing.
Together with his partner Lisa, Vado shares this message with all people, with respect, joy, and open hands.
More to Explore
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![Group of dancers performing on stage, wearing colorful traditional African attire, with drums and a red background with black tree silhouettes.]()
Live Performances with Kotchegna Dance Company
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![Group of people in colorful traditional African attire, dancing and smiling, some holding drumsticks and a drum, at a cultural event with a backdrop featuring logos and the text 'Equality Now' and 'Gucci Chime for Gender Equality'.]()
Invite Kotchegna for workshops, events, and creative collaborations
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![Man in traditional pink attire playing a drum while smiling, with people and dogs in the background near a thatched-roof hut.]()
Cultural Tours to Côte d’Ivoire
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![Two women in colorful, festival-style clothing and face masks jumping in the air along a pedestrian bridge.]()
Educational Resources for schools, communities and curious minds
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![Three African hand drums with decorated bases and colorful Drum shells placed on grass.]()
Shop Authentic Djembes, ceremonial wear, and cultural accessories
Experience the spirit of Côte d’Ivoire.
Start with a rhythm. Join a class.
Explore the Ivorian culture through drum, dance, and tradition.
The spirit of the Motherland calls you home.