SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Members of a Senegalese dance troupe did more than take a bow after a recent performance -- they took flight, and now 17 of them have disappeared.

The Ballet d'Afrique Noire was forced to cancel the remaining dates of its nationwide tour after the majority of their dancers disappeared in the San Francisco area after a Sunday performance.None immediately filed for political asylum from Senegal -- which ended 40 years of socialist rule this month. They were in this country under temporary work permits that allowed them only to work as dancers for their company.

"They've disappeared," said Jane Hermann of New York-based ICM Artists Ltd., which had to cancel the group's three remaining U.S. performances. "It's too bad because it's such a lovely tour."

"It would appear that they're illegal now," said Mark Riordan, who works for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in San Francisco. "It's our duty to try and locate them and try to remove them."

Ballet d'Afrique Noire had crisscrossed the country since January, and was nearing the end of its 12-week U.S. tour when the dancers performed Sunday at Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall to a crowd of 1,700.

After the performance, 17 of the 28 dancers walked off the stage, mingled with the crowd, and melted away.

"I think they've been misguided by friends who live here," Hermann said. "I know they have friends in the Bay Area. They were swarming backstage. Nobody can just disappear in the United States unless they have friends who can help them."

On Wednesday, the remaining members of the troupe flew back to Senegal.

"It's really misguided for people to do this," said Hermann, noting that performances were being lined up for later this year in England, France and Italy. "I hope they understand the opportunity they've missed."

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Established in 1958, Ballet d'Afrique Noire is one of Senegal's oldest active folk music and dance companies. Based in Dakar, the company trains 150 members each year and regularly sends smaller ensembles to perform in Europe.

The dancers were in the country on a work permit that expires in a week. They could stay in the United States illegally or apply for political asylum. If their requests are denied, they would be deported back to Senegal, on Africa's western coast.

The primarily French-speaking nation's political situation has been relatively stable in recent years, according to the U.S. State Department.

Its longtime opposition leader was sworn in earlier this month as president, ending 40 years of Socialist Party rule.

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