This month, we shine our Drumroots Artist Spotlight on our amazing friend and long-term collaborator, Jokeh Sillah. Jokeh is a Gambian dance artist and choreographer with over 15 years of work alongside Drumroots and Tanante. She brings energy, tradition, and incredible skill to every performance and workshop.
Born into a family of musicians and performers in The Gambia, Jokeh has been dancing from a young age. Her lifelong dedication to West African Manding dance gives her a deep understanding of rhythm, movement, and cultural storytelling. Every step she takes reflects authenticity, joy, and tradition.
Jokeh is internationally recognised for her teaching and her mastery of traditional West African dance. Highlights of her career include:
She is also widely respected as an exceptional choreographer, creating dynamic African dance routines that blend tradition with her own artistic expression.
Since moving to Manchester in 2003, Jokeh has been a driving force in the UK West African arts scene. She co-founded Santa Yalla Arts, where she works as Artistic Director and Principal African Dancer, delivering:
Through Drumroots, she also works as a dance facilitator and performer in schools, colleges, and community groups, inspiring learners of all ages through movement, rhythm, and cultural connection.
Every month, Jokeh teaches a West African dance class in Manchester at the West Indian centre, accompanied live by Tanante drummers. These sessions are lively, welcoming, and rooted in authentic African dance traditions.
Her next run of West African dance classes are on November 30th and December 21st. If you’d like to join, you can follow the link for all the details. West African dance class with Jokeh Sillah
After more than 15 years of performing and collaborating together, we can confidently say that Jokeh Sillah is one of the most talented dancers and choreographers we’ve ever worked with. Her passion, artistry, and generosity continue to inspire everyone around her.
We are proud to feature Jokeh in our Drumroots Artist Spotlight. Her journey, creativity, and dedication to West African dance make her an essential part of our community. We look forward to many more years of performing, teaching, and celebrating dance together.
