West African Cultural Music

Focus West Africa

Nigeria

INSTRUMENTS

SAKARA DRUMS SHEKERE- BEADED

GOURD

AGOGO BELL - GHANA

AGOGO BELL - NIGERIA

AGOGOSOUTH AMERICA

Baba Tunde OlatunjiBabatunde Olatunji celebrates his 20th anniversary of service as the “Ambassador of Africulture.” Olatunji was born in the small fishing village of Ajido–Badagry, Nigeria. He came to the United States in 1950 as a Rotary Scholar to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta. Questions about Africa, many of which betrayed an unbounded ignorance of Africa and its culture, led Olatunji to attempt to educate his fellow students by giving lectures on the rich traditional heritage of Africa through songs, music, folklore and dance. This venture along with his becoming a professional master drummer, musicologist and educator has made him the foremost exponent of African culture in North and South America today. Olatunji’s career has taken him and his dancers all over the United States and the world. He has also given featured performances with the Radio City Music Hall Symphony Orchestra where he combined the African drums and song with a contemporary classical score. In 1964–1965, he performed at the New York World’s Fair. His dedication to awakening people all over the world, especially American Africans led him to establish the Olatunji Center for African Culture in New York in the 1950s and later in Washington, DC. Babatunde Olatunji -In Memorium - Michael Babatunde "Baba" Olatunji Our friend, brother and spirtual leader left this plain for another, Sunday, April 6, 2003, 7:30 am, at the age of 75.

AKIWOWO – Chant to the Trainman

Baba Olatunji performs song Akiwowo at New Years Eve concert opening for The Grateful Dead in 1986. “Baba bring us safely home.”

Song about a legendary train conductor in Nigeria in pioneering train conducting days. Let's say he was an African Casey Jones (see there). Akiwowo wasn't known for the sound of his whistle, but for his smile. Akiwowo was the happiest man alive serving his land and his fellow citizens as a train conductor. Akiwowo is a Yoruba folksong.

AKIWOWO

Akiwowo, oloko ileAkiwowo, oloko ileIyowo be mi de ileIyowo be mi de ile

Ile baba miAkiwowo, oloko ile

Oloko ile, o se oOloko ile, o se o

AKIWOWOPerformed by

The “Voices Of Africa” Choral & Percussion Ensemble

SHEKERE – BEADED GOURD

KIYA KIYA – SALO E

Why Do You Run Away?

SALO E – Kiya Kiya

Salo e, Salo e, Salo e Kiya ki sa oKi ya kiya.

Salo e, Salo e, Salo e Kiya ki sa oKi ya kiya.

CALL - Mo ki saloRESPONSE - Kiya Kiya

JIN GOLO BA DRUMS OF PASSION

"Rhythm is the soul of life. The whole universe revolves in rhythm. Everything and every human action revolves in rhythm." - Olatunji

JIN GO LO BALIVE PERFORMANCE IN SANTA CRUZ

JIN GO LO BA – DRUMS OF PASSION

Jin go lo, Jin go lo baJin go lo, Jin go lo ba,Jin go lo, Jin go lo baJin go lo, Jin go lo ba,

Jin go lo ba, Jin go lo ba,Jin go lo ba, Jin go lo baJin go lo ba ba, go lo ba,Jin go lo ba ba, go lo ba,

Jin go lo ba ba, go lo ba ba,Go lo ba ba, go lo ba.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SAKARA DRUM

This video will demonstrate various rhythm parts played on four different size 'Sakara Drums'. For more information about us and this Sakara Drum, please visit: http://motherlandmusic.com

Olaiwola sings to Sakara drumming

SAKARA DRUM FROM YORUBALANDSakara is one of the drums from the Yorubaland of Nigeria.. categorized as a talking drum because Sakara can talk too like Gangan ,Iya-Ilu., Bata, Agidigbo etc.. most drums in Yorubaland can talk. Sakara, a round clay drum, small in size but its voice is deep.. this drum is played either to celebrate something or to accompany a folklore music. Sakara is the favorite drum of "EYO“ the highly respected white garment masquerade from Lagos.

GOATS

GOAT SKINS

JIN GO LO BAVOA Performing in WI. 2009

SANTANA - JINGOPlaying his version of Jingolo Ba

SAMBA ON THE AGOGO BELLSPlayed by VOA members.

AGOGO BELLS

GONGANKWI - GHANA AGOGO - NIGERIA

AGOGOMIDDLE & SOUTH AMERICA

Olatunji Reunion Celebration-Various SongsPerformed by the Seattle World Percussion Society

THE END

PRESENTED BY NANA BAAKAN

OF PAEP – SLAM PROGRAM

@ HUNTER SCHOOL

JULY, 2010