WONTAN’KA PRODUCTIONS boldly seeks to reinvent African traditional circus in a modern, engaging, and accessible format. We believe in the power of unity, diverse bodies, and cultural innovation.
We promote African circus arts through powerful live performances that celebrate rhythm, movement, and emotion.
Our productions bring together dance, acrobatics, and music to tell stories of heritage and hope — building bridges between African traditions and global contemporary creation.
Alongside our stage productions, WONTAN’KA also conducts community workshops across Manitoba, bringing creative and interactive experiences filled with joy, energy, and connection. These workshops extend the spirit of our shows, making the art of movement and music accessible to all.
Through every project, we aim to empower youth, especially from Francophone, immigrant, and Black communities, while fostering unity and cultural pride in Winnipeg and beyond.
The kora is a West African stringed instrument, often described as a bridge between the harp and the lute. With a history stretching back centuries among the Mandinka people, it has been used to tell stories, preserve traditions, and accompany ceremonial music. The kora produces a gentle, flowing sound — bright yet soothing — that resonates with a sense of balance and harmony. In Wontan’ka performances, the kora’s melodies weave through dance, acrobatics, and rhythm, creating moments of reflection, connection, and calm. Its music is both grounding and uplifting, carrying a natural sense of healing, wellness, and emotional resonance that captivates audiences and draws them into the heart of each story.
Amara Condé is a Guinean artist (musician, dancer, acrobat) born in Coyah. He began dancing in the streets of Guinea-Conakry around 2005 and started his circus training in 2008 with Benka Fissa in Kindia, where he studied contemporary dance and ballet with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company. He then joined Cavalia by Odysseo for international tours from 2013 to 2018, notably in Winnipeg (2015, 2018). He also performed with Cirque du Soleil (2018, 2019). He currently directs WONTAN’KA_PRODUCTIONS, a company that blends tradition and modernity.
In 2019, he presented at the Nuit d'Afrique International Festival in Montreal, Quebec, and at the Folklorama African Pavilion in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In 2020, he performed with the group Nafro Dance Productions in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and also participated in ritual artisan performances at Thermea Spa Village Winnipeg. He placed fourth for the first Canadian National Sauna Performance Championship in 2025.
Amara is also the founder of Guinea_Best, established in 2013, a cultural initiative dedicated to promoting Guinean arts, music, and circus. His years of touring, teaching, and artistic collaborations in Africa, Europe, and North America have shaped the vision of WONTAN’KA: to create a platform where African art meets innovation and where community engagement fosters cultural exchange. From Guinea_Best to Wontan’ka_Productions, Amara’s journey is a testament to his resilience, creativity, and leadership, bringing the spirit of Guinea to the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and creating a lasting cultural impact through performance, education, and social connection.News & Blog / Actualités & Blog
started her performance career at the age of 5 doing gymnastics. At 9 years old, she switched over to dance and became completely hooked. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, modern, and hip hop, but has always been most passionate about contemporary. Her training as a competitive dancer transformed her love for dance, giving her multiple opportunities to compete in many large groups, small groups, duos, trios, and solos. She competed in dance competitions until 2018 when she started teaching a new generation of dancers. Madi's choreography bleeds contemporary at the heart with mixes of acrobatics, ballet, jazz, and lyrical. With preference for innovative and shocking music choices, if she were to describe her choreography in one word, it would be "weird." In 2024, Madi met Amara, and her performance career took off once again, debuting in "Kora Kan" in 2024. Since then, Madi has been practicing her acrobatic and cirque skills as well as learning more afro-inspired dances to prepare herself for the upcoming Wantana'ka performance.
is a passionate dancer and musician with Wontan’Ka Production, where she brings stories to life through Afrobeats and traditional Burundian dance. Though self-taught, her artistry is driven by a deep love of rhythm, movement, and cultural storytelling. Each performance reflects her joy, authenticity, and commitment to sharing the beauty of African heritage through dance and music.
Beyond the stage, Maltha is the founder of Rooted In Care, a childcare business dedicated to nurturing creativity, inclusion, and emotional growth in children. Her work in both art and care are deeply connected. Rooted in compassion, expression, and the belief that every person, big or small, deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Through Wontan’Ka, she continues to share her love of movement as a universal language, one that bridges cultures, generations, and hearts.
holds a bachelor of music specializing in voice, and a bachelor of jazz studies specializing in guitar, both from the University of Manitoba. George teaches private voice and guitar, and enjoys tailoring his lessons to each individual student. He is an active performer in the Manitoba music scene. In addition to gigging, he is the conductor of the North End Yiddish Folk Choir. George supports singers in individual and choir settings, developing their voices and musicality.
