My original goal in this project was to make an African drum. Due to reasons of logistics, planning, and substance, I had to do a little more for the project.
From the article "Roots of rhythm", on African dancing and drumming in Central Square, by Ann Harrison in the 27 October edition of the Boston Phoenix, I learned of the Dance Complex in Central Square. After sitting in on the African Repetoire class there on 12 November, I met Caroline, the wife of the drummer Mamadou. I learned of his beginner drum class at the YMCA. I also asked about the possibility of making a drum, which was affirmative. On 17 November, I attended the drum class. I attended the Beginner African Dancing class at the Dance Complex on 18 November. On 1 December, Mamadou then showed me how to make a djembe. On 15 December, I participated in the drum class.
I sat in on the African Repetoire class at the Dance Complex. African Repetoire is a set group of people (about 12-15) with a choreographed dance. They were rehearsing for a performance occuring on the 19th. The Repertoire danced an African dance, while three drummers, sitting down, drummed in front facing them. Sometimes the main drummer sang, and the class repeated the song. The teacher instructed and directed the dancing. She also had her own role where she wore a mask, lead the dance, and also danced. Sometimes they danced in a group while sometimes they danced in pairs or solo. The solo possibly was not choreographed. There was male pair that had a different dancing routine than the female pairs. There was another man who hit two husk together for added sound and rhythm. Most of the time he remained in the background, but occasionally he would dance around a dancer mocking her in a fun way or encouraging her to increase intensity. At the end of the class, the teacher and the man with the husks gave a pep talk for the next week's performance.
I attended the weekly beginner drumming class offered by Mamadou at the YMCA in Central Square. The class is open to anyone. This was the fourth lesson offered so far. There were eight students. Mamadou and Caroline brought a base drum and 2 extra drums. The other drums in the class were djembes. Since there were not enough drums, I watched and listened. Mamadou started a rhythm for the class. The rhythm would repeat while occasionally Mamadou would play on his own or sing while drumming. Many different rhythms were played. The class lasted a little more than an hour. Before leaving, people put away their chairs and paid for the lesson ($10).
I participated in the Beginner African Dancing class at the Dance Complex. This class is open to everyone. The assistant teacher led the warm up exercises, while gradually about 3-4 drummers and the teacher arrived. On the side of the room, one of the drummers set out a little blanket with pieces of African art on it to sell (I believe). After the warm up, the assistant teacher collected the money ($8). The teacher started the class by explaining the history and the background of the particular dance she was to teach. Then she showed the movements. The class danced to the drum music by repeating the movements over and over again. Once or twice, the teacher also taught a song to sing, and the class sang it. For each dance, people formed rows of 4. Each row took turns, dancing and slowly moving to the front of the room with each step. The dancing row ended up infront of and facing the drummers, and then returned to the back of the room. About 6-8 different dance movements were taught.
I went to Mamadou and Caroline's house to learn how to make a djembe. Mamadou told me about the factual background and information of the djembe. The drum parts were ready; the wood carcass was present, and the goat skin was well soaked. I watched Mamadou make the djembe, and I also tied some of the rope. Mamadou spends about a week on the main process of making the drum. The portion of the work that I watched was completed after tightening the rope and shaving the fur off the skin. The excess skin still had to be cut off, the placement of the skin had to be leveled, the skin had to be dried, and the rope had to be further tightened.