Muisi-kongo Malonga is pictured teaching a class at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts. Photo: JT Faraji.
Muisi-kongo Malonga
Kongolese Dance
Muisi-kongo Malonga is a dancer, culture bearer, and Artistic Director of Fua Dia Kongo, dedicated to preserving the music, dance, and cultural practices of descendants of the Kongo Kingdom. Her work continues the cultural preservation efforts started by her parents, Malonga Casquelourd and Dr. Faye McNair-Knox, in 1977. With over 30 years of experience, Malonga is one of the foremost keepers of Kongolese dance traditions in the U.S. As a principal dancer, choreographer, and educator, she fosters multigenerational learning and cultural exchange through her arts practice, which emphasizes healing and social justice. She has received numerous honors, including the 2022 Dance/USA Fellowship, and has served as a Guest Lecturer in Stanford University’s Theater and Performance Studies Department. A resident instructor at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts for two decades, Muisi-kongo teaches weekly classes in traditional Kongolese dance, fostering community connection and healing.
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Living Cultures Grant Program
2024
The Kizingu Project
Funding will support 10 monthly Kongolese dance workshops for children of African descent, led by Muisi-kongo Malonga. The grant will cover venue costs, instructor fees, and materials, making this cultural education accessible and preparing the next generation of keepers of Kongolese traditions.
