African drums in Dannevirke
Five days of rhythmic drum beatsemanated from the Dannevirke Scout Hall since Anzac Day as the Kadodo West African Drum and Dance School chose Dannevirke as its venue for an annual intermediate and advanced workshop.
Nearly 20 drummers had flocked to Dannevirke from as far as Hokitika, Kaiko¯ ura and Kerikeri as well as cities like Nelson, Christchurch, Napier, Wellington and Auckland.
Dannevirke was the only venue for the year because drum teacher Koffie Fugah, originally from Ghana in West Africa but now resident in Mosgiel, likes the town.
He says Dannevirke is a very interesting little town with friendly people.
He said the camping ground adjacent to the Scout Hall was ideal for the classes.
There was not much leisure time in the five days. The group started classes at 9am and did not finish before 5pm each day. Intensive drumming lessons on a variety of drums including the djembe drum and the kpanlogo were interspersed with West African dance lessons taught by Jenny Bloomfield of Wellington, who runs her own dance group, the Moringa Dancers.
The group visited the Dannevirke Community Market where their drumming and dancing drew an interested crowd and performed again to a small group on the last afternoon before disbanding.
Ahead is an exciting experience for some of the group — visiting Koffie’s home town of Ewe in Ghana for “immersion training”. Koffie is returning home to set up the trip in the next few months.
Local enthusiast and organiser Robin Cornish says it is a real thrill and privilege for Dannevirke to host such skilled teachers.