PENCHMI CAMP at CAMBRIDGE
5 DAY GATHERING WITH THE PENCHMI VILLAGE ON FULL MOON, IN THE WOODS, BY THE RIVER, BRINGING THE SPIRIT& MAGICAL RHYTHMS OF AFRICA

​

​​

✨ 5 DAYS & 4 NIGHTS OF CAMPING

✨ ONE CIRCLE

✨CALLING DRUMS, RHYTHMS, VOICES, STORYTELLERS, MOVEMENTS FROM AFRICA & THE DIASPORA

✨LIMITED DRUMS WILL BE PROVIDED, PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR OWN INSTRUMENTS

✨WEST AFRICAN FOOD,  JUICES & HEALTHY BEVERAGES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE, COMMUNITY KITCHEN AVAILABLE. ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCES FREE ENVIRONMENT 

✨ FAMILY FRIENDLY

✨IN THE FLOW OF THE LEY LINES, IN GUARDED LAND: ABINGTON WOODS, CAMBRIDGE

✨ CALLING IN SOUL-LED & HEART CENTRED SPONSORS. BUYING A TICKET SUPPORTS: 

THE MAKING OF THIS GATHERING, THE CARE FOR THE LAND, THE PARTICIPANT ARTISTS who carry their craft and culture as a way of life, and AFROMOYA, the ticketing platform for black-led cultural events created and run by members of our community

✨LIMITED TICKETS AT £155.55 (EARLY BIRD available UNTIL 7th JULY 2025).  KIDS UNDER 16 ALWAYS FREE

✨THE PROGRAM WILL UNFOLD ON THE DAY

✨ARTISTS INVITED ANNOUNCED SHORTLY, follow Dembis Thioung on social media for announcements or join our PENCHMI VILLAGE whatsapp group chat

​

​

Immerse yourself in the rhythms and movement of  Africa & All Diaspora while nourishing your soul in one of English most sacred land: the heart of the ley lines in Glastonbury. Calling all drums, rhythms, voices, storytellers and movements from Africa and the entire Diaspora - a unique experience, a celebration of togetherness led by Senegalese master drummer Dembis Thioung, alongside other community leaders (TBA)—offering a transformative, uplifting & empowering journey through drum circles, traditional, contemporary & urban dances, spoken word circles, open mics, live music performances and further creative spaces, all driven by the power of the ancestral technology of the rhythms.

✨WHAT IS PENCHMI?✨

The word PENCHMI (in Wolof is written as “Penccmi”) is used to describe the gathering of ancestors, transcending time and space, as well as the gathering of the elders of the traditional Senegalese villages, in the centre of the community under a baobab tree. Penchmi is the space to discuss matters of LIFE, FREEDOM, and PEACE. Most importantly, it serves to remind us of the LOVE and RESPECT shared among each other.

​

Dembis takes pride in being guided by the highest Senegalese value of "TERANGA": welcoming, sharing and supporting each other in happiness always, valuing wealth not for its quantity but for the generosity extended to others. "TERANGA" represents the essence of Senegalese culture and it can be translated with the word hospitality.

​

Launched in London in 2020, PENCHMI – The African Drum + Dance + Chant Portal is a growing community rooted in the rhythms, movement and living traditions of Africa. Through gatherings held around the New Moon and Full Moon, PENCHMI creates spaces for cultural exchange, collective celebration and connection through drum, dance, chant and storytelling. Previous editions have taken place at Folklore (Hoxton), Roundwood Park, Hampstead Heath and Hackney Marshes.

​

We are honoured to bring this next gathering PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE to Abington Woods—a family-run Community Interest Company and woodland retreat nestled in the Cambridgeshire countryside, beside the River Granta and surrounded by ancient woodland.

Beyond the UK, PENCHMI also journeys back to its roots in Senegal, offering immersive cultural experiences in Dakar guided by Dembis Thioung. These journeys invite participants to experience the rhythms, traditions, communities and everyday life that have shaped his artistic path.

​

Stay tuned for the next edition of PENCHMI in Senegal, coming in Winter 2026/2027.

✨WHAT TO BRING TO PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE?✨

🥁 Limited drums available, participants are encouraged to bring their own.

🪑 Chair or stool 

👕 Comfortable clothing for movement & weather 

⛺ Tent & sleeping essentials

🩱 Swimwear and a towel if you'd like to cool off in the River Granta. The river is shallow in most areas, making it ideal for paddling and enjoying the water. Children must be supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.

🍲 Camping cookware & reusable utensils. Bring your own plates, cups & cutlery to eat food from the on-site stalls and support reducing general waste.

 🥗🥗 Food is part of the gathering. Around our community kitchen, we aim to share nourishing meals, the flavours of West Africa, fresh juices and wholesome refreshments prepared by members of our community. Food price not included in the ticket access. You're also welcome to bring your own food and snacks.

🗑️ Bin bags. Leave no trace behind, everybody is responsible to take your waste home. 

💳 Cash / card for market & food stalls 

🎧 Earplugs (if sensitive to sound)

🔥 There will be fire pitches with the supervision of dedicated firekeepers. Individual fires are not authorized.

💧 Water fountains are available across the fields — please bring a reusable bottle to refill. 

🚿 Compost toilets and hot showers are available for your comfort throughout the festival. 

🔌 Power station available to charge phones.

🐾 A limited number of small, well-informed pets are welcome. Please email dembis.thioung@gmail.com to register your pet.

✨WHAT DO YOU EXPERIENCE AT PENCHMI CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE?✨

Following the Griot drum call every morning, we will come together through the unifying power of the drums in ONE CIRCLE. 

A GROUNDING & SOULFUL EXPERIENCE embodying drum, voices and movement languages from around the world. Resetting the sense of time, space, rhythm and rest. 

PENCHMI is a safe space to express your soul's dance moves alongside live drumming. Embody traditional and new rhythms, improve your drumming & movement language, and express confidently, all supported by the circle. A grounding experience, connecting to ancestral wisdom through voice, sounds and movement from respected artists & community leaders. 

We will gather, drum, dance and sing our hearts out, we will nourish our bodies, share with others, celebrate togetherness and the artistic expressions of all, and part ways until the next one, in peace & happiness.

All levels, backgrounds, faiths, and ages are welcome. 

Children are at the heart of our community. To help create a safe and joyful environment for everyone, parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

​

​

MORE INFO + BOOKING DETAILS VIA AFROMOYA

TICKETING LINK BELOW