Fonziba Drums!
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African Drumming & Culture
Programs for Libraries (Summer Reading & General Public),
Retirement Communities, Museums, Church Groups and other Public Venues
1 -  Gifts from Mother Africa
Documentary Video
   
First, learn about the culture and home life of a typical West African family, while watching Fonziba’s delightful documentary, Gifts from Mother Africa. about her trip to Mali and the Ivory Coast. 

In 2003, Fonziba spent six weeks living with the Dembele family, whose traditional drummers go back thirty-three generations. She apprenticed with the family elder, Dramane Dembele, and performed with his drum troupe at three to five African wedding celebrations every week.

The eighteen-minute DVD wonderfully depicts highlights of the drumming and dancing at the colorful weddings and also shows all the details of daily life in a contemporary African home. Audiences of all ages,  especially kids, simply love this video and Fonziba leads a fun question and answer session immediately after the video.


   
 
   
2 - Family Drum Circle    
   
Fonziba then invites everyone to play one of her thirty, hand-carved, jembe drums from the Ivory Coast and experience first-hand what it is like to be in a West African drum band! 

Fonziba has a unique ability to get people with little or no musical training to drum together and sound great. Within minutes, everyone is playing African style rhythms and grooving to the tribal beat!

To make sure everyone can join in, Fonziba brings hand-held percussion instruments for anyone too shy to drum and teaches body-percussion rhythms to play along with the drumming.  Everyone present, from tiny tots to grand-parents, is drawn into the rhythm, energy and pure fun.

 
   
 
   
 
   
3 -  African Home Display    
   
Fonziba also sets up her African Home Display. The display contains many items used in the average African home for cooking, eating, cleaning, washing, sitting and sleeping.  The Gifts from Mother Africa video explains each item.  Kids are encouraged to handle and play with the display contents, especially the grain crusher, which they are usually anxious to try after seeing it in the video.

This exciting, thoroughly enjoyable experience of African drumming and culture leaves everyone feeling uplifted and exhilarated.

The eighteen-minute DVD wonderfully depicts highlights of the drumming and dancing at the colorful weddings and also shows all the details of daily life in a contemporary African home. Audiences of all ages,  especially kids, simply love this video and Fonziba leads a fun question and answer session immediately after the video.

 




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