Dance and Drum Retreat with Sibo Bangoura

This Dance and Drum Retreat is a two-night wellness retreat at the Blue Mountains Retreat Centre in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, devoted to West African drumming and West African dance. It is led by Sibo Bangoura, a West African drum master of Guinean heritage, and it pairs the classes with yoga, meditation and vegetarian meals. Guests stay in twin-share rooms, and locals can also come along to individual sessions.

What to Expect

The retreat moves between drumming, dance and rest. Everything on the program is optional, so you can do as much or as little as you like.

Arrival is at 4:00pm, with check-in not available earlier. At 4:45pm there is a one-hour opening rhythmic session, then a final check-in at 6:30pm and dinner at 6:45pm. The first day closes at 9:00pm with whisper time.

The full program day begins with an hour of gentle yoga at 8:00am, followed by breakfast at 9:00am. A 90-minute drum class starts at 9:45am and a 90-minute dance class at 11:30am. After lunch at 1:00pm there is a 75-minute drum class at 2:00pm and a 75-minute dance class at 3:30pm. An hour of yin yoga at 5:30pm leads into dinner at 6:45pm, evening meditation, and whisper time at 9:00pm. On longer stays this day repeats with different workshops.

The final morning starts again with gentle yoga at 8:00am and breakfast at 9:00am. A drum class at 9:45am and a dance class at 11:30am follow, both 90 minutes, and the retreat ends with check-out and farewell at 1:30pm.

About Sibo Bangoura

Sibo Bangoura was born in Guinea, West Africa, and comes from a proud musical family lineage. He is a West African drum master known for his passion and warmth in teaching drumming, rhythm and dance. He is a good friend of Happy Buddha Retreats, who host this program at their Blue Mountains Retreat Centre.

The Setting

All activities and meals take place at the Blue Mountains Retreat Centre. The two-night stay is in twin-share rooms, meaning a room shared with one other guest. Meals are wholesome vegetarian food, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Before You Go

The retreat is all-inclusive. The price covers two nights of twin-share accommodation, vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner, the drum and dance classes with Sibo Bangoura, gentle yoga and yin yoga, the opening rhythmic session and the evening meditations.

No particular level of experience is stated. Group classes in drumming, dance and gentle yoga suggest a welcoming format, and since every activity is optional you can set your own pace. Sessions are held in English.

Locals who would rather not stay overnight can attend individual sessions at the planned times. These are not part of the retreat package and are paid for in cash directly to Sibo, with no need to book ahead.