About
West African culture, brought to life.
For more than 30 years, Ocheami has brought the rhythms, movement, stories, and living traditions of West Africa to communities across the Puget Sound and beyond.
Our Mission
Ocheami is an African Arts organization that aspires to promote healthy, holistic lifestyle practices, cultural competency through education and cultural development, independently and in collaborative ventures with other organizations.
Overview
We are a group of artists and educators with a common goal, to study, share and perform West African culture to support healthy perspectives of life. Ocheami means linguist, the representative who speaks on behalf of the chief in the Ga Language of Ghana, West Africa. Ocheami are "performers speaking on behalf of West African people through drumming, dance, song and storytelling."
Purpose
Ocheami's purpose is to share West African culture by providing authentic, quality instruction and performances in African Arts -- and to have these experiences accessible to all.
Ocheami's Culture Club has been funded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Children's Museum.
Past Accomplishments
Ocheami is a highly respected ensemble that has toured nationally and internationally, teaching and performing at various schools, colleges, universities, libraries and major corporate events. They are especially well known in the Puget Sound region for their educational and residency work.
In 1998, Ocheami was the recipient of the Gordon Tracie Award for their significant contribution to the development and presentation of traditional arts in the Northwest. This award is given annually by the Northwest Ethnic Heritage Council.
Ocheami has enjoyed being featured on numerous Seattle TV programs and were selected as a key presenter at the International Festival of Puppet Theater in New York City (sponsored by the Jim Henson Foundation) in September 1998.
Performed “Sigi The Antelope” - three African Folktales in collaboration with the Northwest Puppet Theater.
Ocheami is also honored to have performed for the 44 th President of The United States of America, Barack Obama.
The Team
Kofi Anang
Primary to the group's work are Kofi and Amma Anang. Kofi Anang, Artistic Director is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Department of Music and Dance. He performed with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble throughout the world from 1965-1972. Kofi was lead dancer and musician with the Late Obo Addy (a well-respected Ghanaian Musician) from 1972-1977. That group was called Oboade and included brothers Yacub, Ismael and Mustapha Addy. Incorporating his talents as a dancer, drummer, teacher and choreographer, he co-founded Ocheami in 1978.
Amma Anang
Amma Anang graduated from Mills College (Oakland, CA) with a Master of Arts - Social Services, spent 10 years as a Student Affairs College Administrator and currently is working as a social worker for a local nonprofit. Working with primarily Black youth who are at risk for the “School to Prison Pipeline”. Amma aided Kofi in founding Ocheami, and currently volunteers as business manager, dancer and other duties as needed.
Dora Oliveira
Dora Oliveira has performed and taught Afro (African) Brazilian dance for 28 years. A graduate of the prestigious Federal University of Brazil, Dora's career as a professional dancer began in 1976, when she joined renowned Brazilian Folkloric dance troupe, Exaltacao A Bahia. Dora commands a repertoire that ranges from Afro-Brazilian dance forms through Jazz, Ballet, Modern and African dance. Ms. Oliveira moved to the US. in 1991 and has performed with Ocheami over 21 years.