: : The Talking Drum Speaks : :

"Africa! We'd known of Baba Chuck's trip for a long time and knew when we finally would go to Africa Chuck was the person we wanted to travel with. Dancing - drumming - fabrics - sculpture - but most important - people! This was a transformative, educational and restorative experience. Chuck brings joy, a sense of connection and the deepest commitment to the people of the Gambia whom he has embraced for over thirty years. It was a privilege to become part of Chuck's spiritual journey."

Peggy and Murray Schwartz
Amherst, MA

"The Cultural Arts Safari was an incredible cultural experience for the dancer/teacher as well as the cultural enthusiast. This is a trip of a life time"

Julie Coleman, Director
Orlando, FL

I'm sitting here in my office, thinking to myself, what can I say that will even begin to share the depths of my feelings for the Chuck Davis Cultural Arts Safari experience. And the answer is right in front of me. No matter what I am doing in my daily office environment, directly in front of me, and all around my office, are photo reminders of the fact that I MUST keep Senegal and The Gambia with me every day. On top of my computer are the photos of the Gambian children I adopted during my first visit there.

They were just beginning high school then and have now both completed college. At my side is the photo of my now dear friend from Senegal. Since meeting her, I became a mentor for her son who is now a student at my college. Next to them is a photo of one of the young women who was an African American initiate in the Cultural Arts Safari - Rites of Passage trip ( she was 15 years old then). She is now a Junior at the college where I work. And behind me are pictures of my daughter, my son, and my grand daughter enjoying the , hands- on meals, dance and drumming classes, and ride across the Gambia. Between them, they have had six trips with Baba Chuck, and if you ask them they will tell you they would leave tomorrow.

Chuck Davis Cultural Arts Safari may not be as life altering for you as it has been for me and my family, but it will change the way you manifest your personal since of who you are in relationship to your fellow world neighbors.

For myself and my children, I would simply say, if you need to have your heart, your soul, and your body fed in a way that you will never forget, join us in 2007 for the Cultural Arts Safari. You haven't experienced Africa until you travel there with Baba Chuck Davis. If you believe, as I do, that experience is the best teacher, then come learn about the REAL traditions, artistic creations and spiritual customs and beliefs of the people of the Seni-Gambia.

Mama Katunge
Newark, NJ

Baba Kwame Ishangi traveled to the land of the ancestors October 22, 2003. In July 2004 Dr. Chuck Davis and his Cultural Arts Safari created a tradition of honoring Baba and all our ancestors at ISHANGI KUNDA where Baba is resting.

Every July participants of the Cultural Arts Safari travel to ISHANGI KUNDA for ceremony, planting trees in remembrance or our ancestors, dance & music workshops, perfuming the body with "Cherai" Incense, and other customs, folklore, and study.

Tanji village, my neighbors, welcome the Cultural Arts Safari, Baba Chuck and Mama Rahkiyah Abdurahman with the National Masquerade of the Gambia, "Kumpo," drumming and dancing, a feast of traditional African food, brotherhood, and plenty of love.

Thank you Baba Chuck and Mama Rahkiyah for three years of support. I look forward to hosting you in the future as ISHANGI KUNDA evolves into the Memorial Hall and landmark destination of pilgrimmage that Baba Ishangi envisioned, "The Door of Return."

Ase, ase, ase.
Iya Akua N. Ishangi