Djarama is a humanist and innovative association founded in 2005 by Mamby Gomis, accompanied by his family, artists and cultural players. Its aim is to give children, particularly the most disadvantaged, access to culture through a range of programmes.
At its host site, in the Ndayane bush, the association seeks to build an alternative model of life with the local community. It applies the principles of agro-ecology, aims for food self-sufficiency, uses solar energy and encourages the development of each individual through art, culture and formal education.
Djarama also has a cultural centre, a place for artistic creation, dissemination and research. It is also a training centre for theatre, puppetry and circus arts.
The Djarama company, internationally renowned for its committed performances, writes using a variety of artistic expressions: clowning, puppetry, object theatre and circus arts.
In 2023, the Djarama company is organising a tour of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau to share its puppet show Petit Bout de Bois. Written and performed by Mamby Gomis, Petit Bout de Bois tells the story of the talibés, orphaned children begging on the streets of Dakar and left to fend for themselves. The show was created to denounce this social reality, raise public awareness and raise questions about exclusion.
During this West African tour, Mamby Gomis and actress Ndeye Seck stayed at the Maison des Artistes. They took the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills in object theatre, as well as the creation and development of shows for young audiences, with seventeen actors from GAMUT, the Gambia Union of Theatre. As cultural projects dedicated to young audiences are very rare in Gambia, this residency will help to raise awareness among Gambian creators of the importance for children of attending shows.