¡SÍAA-KARÁAA! is London's first Cuban Carnival Comparsa
founded 2002 and directed by Guillermo Davis 'el Iyawo.
Building on the work of Roldolfo Fournier (Cuban Dancer)
who led the first groups in Cuban Conga in the UK,
Guillermo formed London's on-going Cuban Comparsa
(Carnival band) dancing authentic Cuban Conga.

In 2002 Mandinga Arts helped us with costumes to get
started. In 2003 we went out with ¡SÍAA-KARÁAA! first
authentic Cuban Costumes. In 2004 we represented the
Afro-Cuban Yoruba religion for the first time in Carnival
in the UK with ¡SÍAA-KARÁAA!'s own costumes & our dances
At Notting Hill Carnival we collaborated with "Yaa Asantewaa"
helping them win 1st prize for Best Historical Band 2004
(¡SÍAA-KARÁAA! claims much responsibility for representing
the Yoruba religion) and 3rd prize for "Large Adult Band2004".

In 2005 we processed at Carnival de Cuba London's first
Cuban Carnival with Mandinga Arts & Rhthyms of the City.
And we'll be there with them at the Mayors Thames Festival
river procession and who knows what else.
Email to join us carnival@eliyawo.co.uk
 
www.eliyawo.co.uk/carnival.htm

Parading around Burgess Park this August with Rhythms of the City. This Summer the Comparsa also paraded around the Royal Festival Hall ballroom area and River Terrace during 'Summer on the South Bank' and around Theatre Square Stratford during the Straford-by-the-Sea day festival.

The Comparsa performed for the first time in 2002 at Carnaval del Pueblo and its focus is dance and choreography for street procession within the community.

2002 Carnival del Pueblo
       - with Mandinga Arts
       & Rhthyms of the City Musicians

2003 Carnival del Pueblo in ¡SÍAA-KARÁAA!'costumes
     with Rhthyms of the City Musicians
     Dances of the World Festival  
    
2004 Carnival del Pueblo in ¡SÍAA-KARÁAA!'costumes
     with Paseo Malanga Musicians
     Notting Hill Carnival - with Yaa Asantewaa
     Thames Festival - River Carnival procession
     Dances of the World Festival  
     Thanks to Awards for All in 2004

2005 Carnival de Cuba - with Mandinga Arts
       & Rhthyms of the City Musicians
     Thames Festival - River Carnival procession
       - with Mandinga Arts
       & Rhthyms of the City Musicians
     Dances of the World Festival

www.eliyawo.co.uk

canrival@eliyawo.co.uk

The comparsa dancers are pictured here.  In 2002 the group performed with musicians 'Rhythms of the City' and the Carnival Artists Beauchamp and Rubio who designed the red costumes pictured and the huge lily partially picture. This is a community group and new members are welcome.