KÚKÁTÓNÓN

For 35+ years, Kúkátónón has provided West African dance instructions and event performances in the Pacific Northwest particularly focused on the communities with the largest African and African American residents living in North and Northeast Portland, Oregon.

Kúkátónón’s mission is to inspire confidence, commitment and vitality among the children in the dance troupe, their families and communities; and to broaden awareness of African and African American cultural traditions throughout Oregon. 

Our programming provides a cultural life enrichment environment. To accomplish this and further our mission, we are focused on six (6) Core Program Initiatives (CPIs): (1) Mentorship, (2) STEAM Curriculum, (3) Cultural Services, (4) Community Partnerships, (5) Kúkátónón– based performances, and the (6) National and International Cultural Exchange (NICE) Program.

All members of the Children's African Dance Troupe (CADT) have the opportunity to learn and train with Higher Education and STEAM professionals encouraging mentorship, inter-generational learning, cross-cultural communication, life skills and social development

Kúkátónón works with local professional artists to provide cultural education and training in drumming, dancing, and other forms of artistic creativity. We focus on the history of peoples from the African diaspora. We offer customized and general dance workshops and clinics, along with a Master Train-the-Trainer program.