Through dazzling Afro-Cuban dance, Emesè: Messenger of the African Diaspora offers a coming of age story celebrating the influence of indigenous African culture in the New World. Sande, a young African girl, takes a magical journey through the natural world, guided by the Orisha, powerful African nature deities important in Caribbean culture. Emesè’s rhythmic dance and handcrafted costumes bring Sande and her Orisha guides to life.

Emesè: Messengers of the African Diaspora is a dynamic collective of drummers, dancers, singers and scholars, founded in 1998 to promote and present the rich cultural traditions of the African Diaspora. Emesè is comprised of fourteen artists with extensive background in African & African-derived song, dance & drum culture from Cuba, Brasil, Guinea, Congo, Senegal, Liberia, Haiti and the U.S. Emesè works closely with master artists from Cuba, Carlos Aldama, Jose Francisco Barroso and Silfredo De LaO. Emesè artists have presented at the Orisha World Congress in Havana, and many practice Orisha traditions.