Synopsis

Illymanya is the story of a group of Americans whose lives have been influenced by West African drum and dance, and their efforts to bring that music, and it’s message of survival, to rural America. It is a rare look at Africa; a place of rhythm, passion, and beauty. Illymanya is a story of Guinea Music.

‘Illymanya’ is a story of a group of Americans whose lives have been touched by the music and culture of Guinea West Africa. Ryan Edwards is the director of a performance troupe called “Likewater Drum and Dance” who travel throughout the midwest performing and educating people on Guinea music and culture. Their friends, Sunny and Jen have built a dance studio in rural Michigan dedicated to this music and way of life. Ryan and some of the members of his troupe travel to Guinea each year to stay connected to their teachers and to continue building bridges between the two drastically different cultures.
Guinea, West Africa is one of the poorest nations in the world. Though not ravished by war or strife, they struggle against poverty for their survival every day. The music that comes from this place is the music of struggle, music that comes from a passion for life. It manifests itself in an ancient tradition of rhythm and dance that has been passed down like a benediction, from the grandparents of previous generations.
Milla Sylla lives with his people in Guinea, feeding and housing the thirty musicians that are part of his troupe. Milla, along with a core group of his family and close friends who are literal virtuosos of their chosen crafts, has been aiding Ryan’s efforts to embrace his culture and his music.
‘Illymanya’ is their story. The story of a group of Americans who have devoted much of their lives to studying and engaging with a culture of struggle, and the changes it brings about in them. ‘Illymanya’ is a story of Guinea music.