Students Dance with WACONGO
Josh Lutton ’14 and Professor Ivette Wilson dance with one of the WACONGO Dance Company performers during Wednesday's drumming and dancing workshop. WACONGO performed Wednesday in Salter Hall, and Professor Wilson, recognizing the rhythmic connections between her native Brazil and the Congo, brought her Portuguese language class to the workshop.
Ethnomusicologist Dr. Anicet Mundundu, a member of the WACONGO Dance Company, welcomed Wabash students and faculty to a drumming and dancing workshop in Salter Hall. Dr. Mundundu gave a brief history of the drums the students were playing, forerunners of today's conga drums.
Muchohi Mwaura ’13, Professor Ivette Wilson, Josh Lutton ’14, and Ray Stark ’14 wait for instruction from WACONGO drummer Elie Kihonia.
Muchohi Mwaura ’13, Professor Ivette Wilson, Josh Lutton ’14, and Ray Stark ’14
Josh Lutton and Ray Stark get into the beat. 'Once you begin, you realize you can do it,' Dr. Mundundu said of the drumming and dancing his ensemble teaches.
Elie Kihonia teaches drumming. In earlier article, the Congo-born drummer said, 'No one is excluded from the drum. That’s part of the tradition—everyone has that beat inside of them. It’s about how your heartbeat works, how your body works. There’s a beat inside of you, and when you play it, and feel the connection with that beat inside that you don’t ever pay attention to, drums remind you that you’re living, that you’re existing.'
Joseph Rangel ’15 (right) plays drums with one of the WACONGO ensemble performers.
Elie Kihonia: 'It’s also, most importantly, a way to bring the community together. The drum is the only universal instrument, the only one we all share in our backgrounds, and as the world is split more and more apart, it’s an instrument that can bring us together.'
Josh Lutton and Ray Stark
Dr. Mundundu
A djembe drummer signals the conclusion of the song.
Professors Elizabeth Morton and James Makubuya enjoyed the workshop. Morton is an expert in African art, and Makubuya is an ethnomusicologist born in Uganda and a master drummer and performer on instruments from that country, including the endongo, the harp lyre of the Baganda people.
Following the drumming session, students and faculty didn't hesitate to take part in the dance workshop.
One of the WACONGO dancers shows how it's done!
Dr. Anicet Mundundu
One of two new drums that was debuted at the Wabash concert.