Our Profile

Wuza-Wuza, translates as you and us together as one: a phonetic combination of Akan by pronunciation ‘Wu’ you and Dagbani ‘Zaa’ together as one, it also represents the founder’s first name. Formed in 2000 by leading young choreographer Yawuza Alhassan as a solo endeavor, Wuza-Wuza was formally launched in 2005 by a group of dedicated Ghanaian artistes who appreciate African tradition and cultures. The official launching was by the kind sponsorship of the British council of Ghana at their Accra premises. Educated in traditional African music and sharing the vision of preserving and creatively developing African music and dance.

Wuza-Wuza company members are highly-trained performers and instructors, having completed rigorous residency with prestigious companies such as the National Dance Company of Ghana, Noyam African Dance Institute, and collaborating with members of the Sogo dance troupe, Nbanba Culture dance, N.Y.C. Dance troupe, Gyanomo Dance Troupe and many others. The company is considered among the fastest developing production groups on the continent in its creativity and innovation, and their progressive revival of traditional dances has been lauded as visionary.

Wuza-Wuza is under the patronage of professor Emeritus Kwabena Nketia (1921), world-renowned musicologist and composer who founded and directs the International Centre for African Music and Dance (ICAMD) of the University of Ghana in Legon. As a pioneer of contemporary dance in Ghana, West Africa, Yawuza Alhassan continues to share his experience and knowledge through seminars, workshops and performances in the US, Holland, UK, Belgium, Switzerland, France, South Africa, Togo, Nigeria, Benin and many many others, receiving accolades wherever he goes.

Yawuza Profile

Yawuza Alhassan is not one man but many. Not only is he the cultural/artistic director of the Wuza-Wuza music and Dance theatre Company, which he started in 2000, he is also one of the finest young choreographers in Africa, a multi artiste, instructor and performer. He obtained his certificate in 1999 and received his diploma in Contemporary African Music and Dance from the Noyam African Dance Institute in 2001. His studies were followed by a three year period of teaching at the institute.

In 2008 Yawuza went on tour in the USA and Mexico where he performed with the Kusun Ensemble and gave workshops’

He obtained various additional certificates and has won several awards, both in Africa and Europe. Furthermore, he taught choreography and performed in a number of African and European, America and Asian countries (he toured Europe in 2002 and 2003 and 2004).

In 2008 Yawuza went on tour in the USA and Mexico where he performed with the Kusun Ensemble and gave workshops. Dutch promotion tour From March till the 4th of May 2009 Yawuza Alhassan was on a promotion tour in the Netherlands giving solo performances and workshops. In 2012 yawuza tour the phillipines and thailand.
Yawuza is a pioneer in contemporary African dance in Ghana as well as the inventor and the first to introduce the Afrikiki dance style in Ghana, in 2005. Yawuza Alhassan is also the main organizer and the initiator of the annual music and dance workshops (study tour) for people who are interested in the study, preservation and development as well as promoting the authentic rhythms and African music and dance.

YAWUZA ALHASSAN; Curently directing, teaching, choreographing, performing and managing wuza-wuza music and dance theatre company along side with other artistic developmental and educational projects.

Our History

In 2005 he left his first major mark on African music and dance, by introducing a new form of dance AFRIKIKI--an extension of Ghanaian African dance vocabulary with the use of special techniques and choreographic elements to tell stories and talking with the body in relation to natural and creative sound.

All Wuza-Wuza pieces reflect life through the unity of rhythm and movement: its wide-ranging repertoire, culled from indigenous, imaginative and contemporary social sources, aims to unite, educate and entertain while representing Ghana and Africa around the world.

Wuza-Wuza is currently recording a full-length album blending traditional and western instruments in originally composed songs in Dagbanli, Akan, Ga, Ewe, etc. With their use of proverbs, rhythmic complexity, and catchy harmonies, the group stands to revitalize the African live music scene.