AFRICAN MUSIC :: AFRICAN DRUMS :: AFRICAN PERCUSSION

"Book an African experience for your school,
Learn to make an African Djembe or Bongo drum, or
Buy an African percussion instrument right here!"

African Music and Culture Workshops for Schools

An hour of interactive African singing, African drum playing and African dancing. This African music workshop is great for up to 100 students. Guided by 2 experienced musicians from Africa.

Your school workshop will begin with an overview of the African geography, African history and the culture of African countries. This is followed by the introduction and demonstration of African music and African instruments from different areas. The instructors will explain how music is used in festivals and local ceremonies in African life – naming, harvest, weddings and burials.

Your students will participate in a mock ensemble as African drum players, singers and dancers. They will learn a few traditional African chants, songs and rhythms.

At the end of each workshop, the instructors will perform for your students.

Book an African Connection workshop for your school and your students will get:

• An exposure of students to African culture, history and geography
• A real and heart-warming multicultural exchange
• An introduction to African rhythms and African music
• An introduction to African drums and African percussions
• A mind-opening and bonding experience
• A physical and musical adventure

BOOK AN AFRICAN MUSIC WORKSHOP FOR YOUR SCHOOL

African Drum Making Workshops for Community Centres

Participants create their own African drum (Congo, Batá/Bembe or Djembe drum) and learn the basics of African drumming in a fun atmosphere.

Drum shells are from Africa and, with Tunde’s instructions, are relatively easy to make. The creation of the drum starts at the preparation of the shell and skin, then working trough the roping, tightening and decorative finishes.

Once the drums are ready, participants learn to play the wonderful beats of traditional African music with Tunde.

The community workshops involve 3 sessions for up to 30 participants - Drum Making, Tuning & Decorating and Playing.

They are an excellent choice for:

• Chill-out sessions for youth
• Exposure to the African culture and to African music
• Holiday programs

BOOK AN AFRICAN MUSIC WORKSHOP FOR YOUR COMMUNITY CENTRE

Corporate Team Building and Special Events

Participants create their own African drum (Congo, Batá/Bembe or Djembe drum) and learn the basics of African drumming in a fun atmosphere.

Drum shells are from Africa and, with Tunde’s instructions, are relatively easy to make. The creation of the drum starts at the preparation of the shell and skin, then working trough the roping, tightening and decorative finishes.

Once the drums are ready, participants learn to play the wonderful beats of traditional African music with Tunde.

Corporate workshops involve 3 sessions for up to 20 participants - Drum Making, Tuning & Decorating and Playing.

They are an excellent choice for:

• Team building - sharing the singing, dancing and drumming simple rhythms in high spirits
• Special events - adding something special to corporate events to spice up the company culture
• Cultural appreciation and openness - as part of an education series or enrichment program

BOOK AN AFRICAN MUSIC WORKSHOP FOR YOUR COMPANY

African Drums and Percussion Instruments

Traditional African drums, made from imported wooden shells and local goat or cow skin and decorated with African symbols. Choose from these great drums:

Congo	The Congo drum is made from goat skin over a Mahogany shell from Nigeria or Cameroon. Played with one hand beating and the other dampening the sound. Makes a shallow sound. Used mainly in naming and burial ceremonies.
Batá (Bembe)	The Batá/Bembe drum is made from goat skin over an Iroko or Mahogany shell from Gambia or Nigeria. The narrow end is played with the strong hand or a leather strap and the wide end is used for base damping. Makes a variable sound, ranging from bouncy (metallic) semi-base to high-pitched. Used mainly in naming and wedding ceremonies.
Djembe	The Djembe drum is made from goat skin over a Yeboa, Mahogany or Wild Mango shell from Mali, Ivory Coast or Gambia. Played by two hands. Makes a sharp, high-pitched slap sound, a low tone sound and a deep base sound. Used all over West Africa as a lead drum in festivals and weddings.
Talking Drum	The talking drum is made from deer skin over a specially-made Yeboa shell from Nigeria, Ghana or Senegal. Traditionally, tied with spun goat-skin ropes. Played under the armpit with a curved stick. Makes a range of 8 sounds, from bouncy (rubbery) middle tone to shallow high-pitched, depending on the pressure on the ropes. Used maily in praise singing and naming ceremonies.
Bongo	The Bongo drum is made from goat skin over a ceramic or Iroko shell from Cameroon or Nigeria. Played with one hand at the top and the other at the bottom to dampen. Makes a variable sound. Used maily in naming and burial ceremonies.
Bougarabou	The Bougarabou drum is made from goat skin over an Iroko, Yeboa or Mahogany shell from Ivory Coast or Ghana. Played with two hands. Makes a deep base sound with hollow undertones, which is versatile with or without damping. Use maily in harvest or wedding ceremonies.
Kenkeni	The Kenkeni and Dudumba (Doundoun) drums are made from goat skin over Iroko, Wild Mango or Mahogany from Gambia or Nigeria. These two drums are played with sticks, while being strapped together. The Kenkeni makes a middle base sound and the Dudumba makes a low base sound. Used as accompaniment in festivals and drumming ensembles, with the Dudumba often used to signal the beat.
Dudumba (Doundoun)
Cowbell	The Cowbell is made from metal. Various styles exist, with the most common being two joint bells from Ghana. Held in one hand and played with a stick in the other. Makes a high and a low sound. Used to decorate and enrich the sound of drumming ensembles and/or to signal the beat.
Shaker (Shekere)	The Shaker (Shekere) is made from a dried gourd and seeds or shells tied in a net over it. Played by holding the base in one hand and the top of the net in the other and moving them in oppositve directions. Makes a loud shaking, rattling sound. Used to decorate and enrich the sound of drumming ensembles.

ORDER YOUR AFRICAN DRUM OR AFRICAN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT

About Tunde Solanke

Tunde Solanke, the man behind African Connection, was born in African in a drum-making village, where he made his first drum at the age of twelve.

As a master percussionist and drum maker, Tunde has played and conducted drumming and drum-making workshops at the Woodford Folk Festival for 15 years, as well as many other festivals and fairs.

Tunde performs and runs cultural events, school workshops, community centre workshops and corporate workshops all over Queensland.

After participating in the Goodwill Games in 2001, Tunde received this letter from Peter Beatie, Premier of Queensland:

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