Thiante: Spiritual Senegal

Batuki Music Society presents Thiante: Spiritual Senegal, an evening to explore the rich traditions of Senegalese spirituality at Trinity-St. Pauls United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts on Saturday October 17th at 7:00 PM. Join us for an evening of captivating rhythms, stirring vocals, and mesmerizing movement, and experience Senegalese traditions as they are lived and felt — alive, communal, and unforgettable.

Thiante is a living cultural practice, rooted in centuries-old traditions of Senegalese marabouts. Its rhythmic repetitions, call-and-response patterns, and intricate vocal lines create an experience that is both captivating and transformative, offering insight into how sound, movement, and community intertwine in Senegalese life.

These practices are presented as authentic examples of Senegalese sonic traditions, where rhythm, repetition, and performance convey identity, values, and shared experience.

Originating within Senegal’s influential Sufi brotherhoods, including the Mouride and Qadiriyya orders, these forms reflect a rich history of spiritual, ethical, and artistic life. The Baye Fall community, known for its vibrant ceremonies and communal rhythms, continues to shape Senegalese culture both at home and across the diaspora.

Thiante: Spiritual Senegal unfolds in two vibrant acts. The first introduces Zikr, a dynamic tradition of vocal recitation, chanting, and cyclical rhythm that immerses participants in the communal energy of Senegalese sound culture. The second half showcases Sam Fall, a Baye Fall ritual form that fuses poetic praise, intricate rhythms, and spirited movement, creating a powerful, immersive experience of collective expression.

Thiante: Spiritual Senegal features a line-up of accomplished singers and talented musicians; Talla Kane (singer), Seydina Ndiaye (singer), Ibrahima Diop (singer), El Hadj Mbaye (percussion), Adama Séne (percussion), Elage Malick Mbaye (percussion) and Aboubacar Sidiki Koné (keyboards. Les Délices de Maymay, winner of the 2025 Jollof Wars, will be catering Senegalese cuisine at the concert. Taste the delicious brochettes, jollof rice and beignets!

Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts, 427 Bloor St. W. Toronto

Tickets: Advance $25 inc fees / Door $30 Thiante17Oct26.eventbrite.ca

6:00 PM Doors open / Les Délices des May May Senegalese Catering

7:00 PM Artist Talk

8:00 PM Thiante: Spiritual Senegal

https://batukimusic.com/site2/en/eventscat/concerts/thiante-spiritual-senegal-oct-17-2026/

Info: batukimusic@yahoo.com

Thiante: Spiritual Senegal is presented by Batuki Music Society. in association with Aga Khan Museum.

Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage, Government of Ontario, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Aga Khan Museum and CIUT 89.5 FM.

Artists:

Seydina Ndiaye is from Thiaroye, Senegal. His early education was in the Daara (Madrassa) where koranic education is taught, as well as morals and character. He is descended from a long line of a Mouride family where from a young age his learning was mostly to sing praise for their Marabout, Serigne Touba (Cheikh Ahmedou Bamba), who is the founder of Mouridisim, a large and influential Senegalese Sufi order. Being from this family and his background of the Koranic education facilitated him to learn and sing Khassaides (devotional poems), written by Serigne Touba, to praise and acknowledge the Prophet Mohamed. The Baye Fall is a branch group of the Mouridisim, part of the Islamic Sufi movement in Senegal. Seydina Ndiaye is a Baye Fall. His singing of Khassaides has kept him grounded in spiritual awareness and has enabled him to be singing in many traditional and religious ceremonies.

Talla Kane is a religious artist and singer of Senegalese origin. Passionate about music since his adolescence, he very early embarked on an artistic journey guided by faith, spiritual values ​​and…