Drumming is the “heartbeat of the world”, well, according to Education Group instructor Mathis Richet. The African drumming workshops offer primary school pupils the chance to learn basic African drumming techniques along with a brief contextual analysis to why it was important to create drum circles. Not only are the workshops important to give the children an insight to different cultures, but also gives them the opportunity to experience drumbeat and rhythm in unity. Furthermore, the drum beat is “good for the body and soul” according to Shonna Beckwith of Florence.
She believes that the drumming “is evocative, evoking the spirit and energy, and it nurtures self-esteem, listening and cooperation skills, eye-hand coordination and math skills.”
Within a normal African drumming session, certain outcomes are definite and connect to Shonna Beckworth’s statement. Firstly, the drumming will boost energy and receptivity of the pupils, as it will be a different experience within the same environment. Secondly, it sharpens listening and concentration skills and develops personal presence in a group. It is important for the children to work in a group as it teaches them how to share in responsibility and coexist. When you work as a team you show respect to others by accepting their input. The workshops require to children to for a sense of camaraderie as it is an important attribute to work in unison, to create their own uplifting composition, to meet the overall objective or creating something within a team.
In the workshops, the instructor provides each child with an instrument relevant to the chosen theme. In an African drumming workshop, the Djembe drum is the instrument of choice. The Djembe has a great cultural heritage in Africa. Although similar to other drums used within different tribes on the African continent, it has minute but significant differences.
The Djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and its origins dates back to the great Mali Empire of the 12th century. Of all the African drums, the djembe has become extremely sought after in the Western world and is regarded as the most popular.
It is also reported that drumming offers therapeutic benefits according to livingrhythms.com. Drumming has been made known to reduce stress and depression. Furthermore, drumming exercises the upper body, develops creativity, and elevates a person self esteem.
As African drumming raises morale, requires exercise and forms comradeship among peers, it is a great activity for a primary school, as it is within the early years where social skills can be adopted.
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Zanzibar, the Quiet Beaches
Traveling to Zanzibar needs to be planned. Some areas of Zanzibar are commercialized and have lost the charm they once had. The quiet beaches are easy to find if you take a little time to plan where to go before you set sail for this spiced archipelago.
The main island usually referred to as Zanzibar Island is a tropical and east from the mainland of Tanzania; measuring 60 miles long and 20 miles wide. Zanzibar is popular because of its beautiful beaches and coral reefs, its palm trees, its seafood and the magic of historic Stone Town, which was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The northeast part of the island is an area that is unspoiled and is known as Matemwe. This part of the island is well known for its natural beauty and closeness to the beat diving sites – the contrasting colors of the Indian Ocean, the white sand beach, the extreme beauty of the coral reef of the Mnemba Atoll and the wild bush vegetation. There is a small village of fishermen, who go out sailing with their army of traditional dhows every morning.
Zanzibar has an international airport with direct connections to Europe and regional destinations (o/a Dar es Salaam, Nairobi). Travel by sea is also possible: there are regular ferry services between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. We can arrange transfers for you to/from the airport, the sea port or Stone Town.
Seafood is the specialty of the area, with all produce bought daily from the local market. Meals offering a delicious mix of African and European flavors. The early mornings and the sunrise is a sight to savor – as you enjoy tea or coffee served at your veranda. In the evening, the full moon rising out of the sea is a wonderful romantic experience you’re not likely to forget. On moonless nights gaze and get lost in the star-filled sky.
Local snorkeling and diving sites are suitable for all levels of experience, from beginning snorklers or experienced divers. Variety is the key word on the reefs around Matemwe. Soft and hard corals, sponges and anemones abound, and you will be amazed by the sheer range of fish species to be found in these waters. You might find dolphins in the water or – for the lucky ones – even spot a whale passing by the reef (best chance for whales in the period August – October).
Visit the neighboring village to explore the local Zanzibar culture and village life and for those who wish to learn about the community projects that the Matemwe lodge is involved in: Matemwe Bungalows has created strong, mutually beneficial relationships with its neighbors and has undertaken various community projects, including the building of a local library.
This location is ideal for visits to Stone Town, Jozani Forest, Prison Island and spice tours.
Fun Facts About Namibia – From Tourism to Sports!
Women’s Rights
Did you know- By the early 2000s, Namibia had Africa’s fourth highest proportion of women in its National Parliament, behind Mozambique, South Africa and Rwanda. 25.0 percent of the seats in the National Assembly were occupied by women (compared with 14.0 percent in the United States).
World-Famous Icons
Did you know- During the 1990s, Frankie Fredericks, an American-trained business administrator, was one of the world’s top sprinters, along with Carl Lewis, Linford Christie and Donovan Bailey. Thanks to his talent, Namibia, an obscure nation, won two medals, 100m & 200m (both silvers), in the 25th Summer Olympics in Spain. Mr. Fredericks was born on October 2, 1967 in Windhoek, Namibia.
Independence
Did you know- The country, formerly known as South-West Africa, gained its independence on March 21, 1990. About the same time, the Sub-Saharan African nation was the world’s youngest republic.
Location
Did you know- Located in Southern Africa, the country is bordered on the north by Angola and Zambia, on the south by South Africa, on the east by Botswana, on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Around 80% of the country’s terrain consists of deserts.
Population
Did you know- The nation’s population is around 2.5 million people. The Ovambo is the country’s largest ethnic group; they make up some 50% of the population. The English-speaking state, twice the size of California, is the most sparsely populated republic in the African region.
Tourism
Did you know- The country, known as the “Gem of Africa”, is a unique place for eco-tourists. Much of Namibia is as it was centuries ago. Due to this, it has a host of natural wonders and amazing places. From one of the world’s biggest deserts and national parks to tropical forests and savannahs with one of Africa’s most concentration of wild animals, including lions, zebras, elephants, rhinoceros, hyenas, and marine mammals. Here, there are so many bigger cats that Namibia has the world’s largest population of cheetahs (home to up to 3,000 animals). The country’s nature reserves are home to several species of exotic birds. For the last two decades, Namibia a been a favorite destination for South African tourists.
Mineral Resources
Did you know- Like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, Namibia is one of Africa’s richest places in strategic minerals (diamonds, uranium, and gold). Mineral resources are the backbone of the country’s economy.
Michelle McLean
Did you know- The tallest Miss Universe (from 1952 to 2009) is Namibia’s Michelle McLean, who is 1m 83. McLean is Africa’s second MU since 1952. Beginning in the 1990s, in Bangkok (Thailand), Miss McLean, a 19-year-old student-turned-model, was named Miss Universe by a panel of celebrity judges, which included Miriam Makeba, a South African-born singer, and Vijay Amritraj, one of the world’s top tennis players in the mid-70s. In the mid-1990s, she became an outspoken champion for children in her homeland. During that time, she set up the “Michelle McLean Children Trust”, an organization that work to improve the lives of children.
Summer Olympics
Did you know- Since the early 1990s, Namibia became an independent state, with help of the United Nations, and it was allowed to compete on the Olympic circuit (Commonwealth Games – African Games – Olympics). For the past two decades, it has had a handful of famous athletes in the African continent: Lucktz Swartbooi (track & field/marathon), Monica Dahl (swimming/ 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 100m butterfly), Friedhlem Sack (one of Africa’s top shooters), Joseph Jermia (one of the Continent’s top boxers), and Agnes Samaria(athletics/800m/ one of the best runners of Africa).
Swakopmund
Did you know- Swakopmund, the nation’s second largest city, has some of the best-preserved colonial buildings on the African continent.
International Organizations
Did you know- The Sub-Saharan African state, a predominantly black country, was admitted to the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth of Nations in 1990. It also is member of the Organization of African Unity (OUA).
Etosha National Park
Did you know- This English-speaking republic is home to the Etosha National Park, one of the most famous national parks on the Planet. Due to its abundant and unique wildlife, its geography and spectacular landscapes, it has been visited by numerous naturalists, travel writers and wildlife photographers. This nature refuge is one of the largest national parks in Southern Africa.
Miss Universe in Namibia
Did you know- In mid-1994, Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, was elected as host city for the 1995 Miss Universe Pageant. Over 80 countries and territories participated in Namibia’95. The telecast, backed up by Head of State Sam Nujoma, served as a springboard to attract more foreign visitors and investors. The event was televised in America and other 60 nations. For the first time in MU history, Africa hosted the global event.
Rossing
Did you know- In the 20th century, the Rossing Uranium Mine -located in the heart of Namibia — was the world’s largest uranium mine.