By June MacDonald, class leader

The Power of Africa Class decided to celebrate the music and rhythms of Africa in the last two weeks of term.

I arranged for two professional and highly regarded African instrumentalists from Super Mande Percussion to come to the Hub and deliver a workshop as well as give a performance of traditional music on the Djembe drum and Kora.

Showcasing music from West Africa

Super Mande Percussion is a dynamic ensemble that performs traditional percussion, folk and jazz music, and dance from various parts of West Africa – Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia and Ghana.

Joining us on the day were Mady Keita and Amadou Suso. Mady Keita is a highly respected Master Drummer, craftsman, teacher, composer, and cultural ambassador, who began drumming at the age of 14 in Mali’s capital, Bamako. Amadou Suso, from Gambia, is a Master of the kora (African harp) who comes from a long lineage of story-telling or ‘griot‘ musicians.

What is a griot musician, I hear you ask?

Griots originated from the West African Mande empire of Mali in the 13th Century. The ‘Griot’ is often seen as a leader. They are part of a social caste. Their role is as a repository of oral tradition – they serve as ‘history books’ preserving ancient stories and traditions (much like our First Peoples in Australia). They could also act as advisors, and have a role as mediators in disputes. They were believed to have deep connections to spiritual, social, or political powers.

Amadou playing the kora and Mady the Djembe gave soulful solo demonstrations of each instrument and then combined in a dynamic improvisation with full throated African singing. Next it was the class’s turn to beat out a rhythm on the drums provided. They did really well. African music often combines a repetitive call and response sequence.

Watch out every-one, here come the U3A Djembe Drummers! It was a fun way to end the term.

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