|
|
Stanley Hameed came from a home where Caribbean music was played, but it was the djimbe, a West African drum, that captured his interest. As a teacher of martial arts, he was drawn to the way that drumming, like tai chi, can give you an organic connection to the earth. He sought out the best West African drummer in the region, Ladji Camara, whose Mandingan people came from Guinea and Senegal. Stanley’s wife, Juanita Hameed, studied dance with the Guinean musician Youssef Koumbassa. In 1994, Stanley and Juanita established the Hameed African Drum and Dance Ensemble.
|
|
|
|
The West African djimbe is a skin-covered drum, shaped like a large goblet, played with bare hands. Because of its shape, the djimbe produces a wide range of tones, including a deep bass note.
Traditional arts have the power not only to maintain community, but also to create it. Stanley Hameed believes that too often, especially in circumstances of poverty, communities neglect their arts at a terrible price to their social health. To address that problem, the Hameed African Drum and Dance Ensemble works with young people, helping them focus their minds and energy in positive ways through tai chi, drumming and dance.
Guinean drumming and dance are fast and intricate, and young people are drawn to them. A good drummer must have more than talent though; he must be willing to invest time. Even after many years, Stanley still thinks of himself as a “learning drummer.” His concern for his community, however, spurs him on. “Our fight is to make it a part of society, to make them see it. The community that needs it most, they need to see it.”
|
