By Olaitan Ganiu
It was a special drumming experience last weekend at the first quarter graduation concert of Janggu and Samulnori Drumming Workshop as audience were treated to usual melodies.
The event tagged Janggu with Papa and held at Seaside Cottage, Akoka-Bariga, Lagos was organised by the Korean Cultural Centre and Drumview Concept.
No fewer than 21 youths participated in the four-month intensive drum workshop and were presented with certificate. 12 of the students have mastered the art of playing the Janggu drum while 9 others in Samulnori drumming.
The Janggu is the most representative drum in traditional Korean music. It is available in different forms and consists of an hourglass-shaped body with two heads made from animal skin. The two heads produce sounds of different pitch and timbre, which when played together are believed to represent the harmony of man and woman. Janggu is one of the instruments of Samulnori. Samulnori consists of Janggu, Buk, Jing, and Kkwaenggwari.
All dressed in Korean attires the graduates took to the stage to display their craft as they wowed the crowd with their impressive drumming and dancing styles which drew applause from the cheerful viewers.
Head, Janggu drum in Nigeria, Isiagwu Williams said he felt fulfilled seeing the youths embracing and learning traditional drums, noting that Nigerians need to cherish our own culture.
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“This is the second time Janggu is coming to Bariga environs and it always feel good to catch them young. It is really my pleasure to see them showcasing their talent here today,” said the award winning choreographer.
“What I am trying to do is: change the perception of Nigerian towards our traditional drums. We cherish our drums and art and cultural activities as the Koreans and other foreign countries value theirs. Many Nigerians sees our culture as fetish and this has really affected our growth as a Nation,” he added.
On the benefits of South Korean drumming in Nigeria, Williams said he wanted Nigerians especially youth to tap from the idea, skill and style the Koreans used in developing their drums.
He said: “I learnt a lot during my sponsorship programme in South Korea. I played their drums using percussion theory, notate and score. So, if we can also adapt these formulas to document our traditional beats like Sakara, Bata, Gangan so that anybody from around the world can play it. My primary aim of organising this workshop is to let our traditional drummers especially the youth to know how to notate, read music note so they can transform it to build our own drum playing. Also, we need to be putting perfect touches to our drum like Janggu drum are polished.”
Willams who studied traditional music composition and arrangement at the National Theatre of South Korea said he has mentored over 60 students since 2014 courtesy of Korea Culture Centre in Nigeria.
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