It started when we were driving the back roads of Belize and came upon Emmet, an Ibo descendant from a tribe in Nigeria who was drumming in his village. We stopped and Ann chatted with him in Ibo (she learned Ibo in Peace Corps Nigeria). He told us he learned drumming from his grandfather and that he carves drums. We stayed for a long time listening, enraptured. When we left, Ann said she wanted to study drumming as soon as she could.
That day came in Mexico when we met Bamba, a Senegalese musician, and his wife Claudia. They run a small African art shop in Playa and Bamba teaches drumming in the evenings. For Ann, it was a dream come true.
The minute we got home, Ann bought her first djembe. Then another; then other drums. Now we have bongos, a Kenya drum, shamanic hoops, cow bells, tambourine, shakers, and a rain stick--enough instruments to make a drum circle!Uh-oh...this is becoming long and we have to leave for West Virginia in the morning ....to be continued...
Tonight we drummed at Treasure Island in a circle of over 100 drummers! I can't wait to post some photos.
I can't wait to see them. Margo, have a safe trip. It's too bad we couldn't have spent more time together. Maybe another time in the near future.
ReplyDeleteThanks Loyce. I arrived home this evening, beat...will post drum photos tomorrow. I look forward to next visit to Safety Harbor and lots of walks together!
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