Today our ensemble of drummers performed for our Key Stage 2 pupils. Everyone was blown away by their performance and outstanding drumming skills!
The children performed on the "djembe"one of West Africa's best known instruments. This goblet-shaped drum is traditionally carved from a single piece of African hardwood and topped with an animal skin as a drumhead. Drums play an important role in every aspect of African life, including the physical, emotional and spiritual. African hand drums are played to communicate, celebrate, mourn and inspire. They're played in times of peace and war, planting and harvesting, birth and death.
First the children performed "Clear the Djembadon". This is a masking dance to get rid of negative and evil spirits when things are going wrong within a community.
Next, the children performed the "Kuku" ("Like the bird"). Kuku is one of the most popular rhythms that can be played on a djembe. It is a harvest piece and is played following a good harvest and celebration of the full moon. It is a traditional dance song from Guinea in West Africa. This song consists of:
An introduction ('the call'),
The basic rhythm
An ending (or 'call out').
We would like to thank our music tutor Mr Austin Gallagher and our pupils who receive drumming lessons for their wonderful performance today! Well done to all our drummers!
Please see the videos and photos below and enjoy the African Drumming!
