Sat 22nd Aug, 7.30pm
Kakatsitsi are a group of traditional drummers, dancers and singers from the Ga tribe of Southern Ghana. Their music takes traditional rhythms and chants from their own Ga traditions mixing drumming grooves, played on West African drums, with melodies from bamboo flutes, xylophone and traditional chants sung in six part harmony. The recent addition of a strong dance element, to complement the drumming and singing, has established them as the leading African traditional group touring the UK. Please note: the group will be presenting workshops in drumming song and dance. See below for full details
£10/£8
Kakasitsi Drummers Workshop Programme
Sat 22nd August
Registration for all workshops will be in Universal Hall Foyer.
Numbers limited for drum workshop. Please book in advance.
Advance Booking to [ mailto:uhall@findhorn.org ]uhall@findhorn.org or 01309 691170.
1.30 – 5.30 Drumming. Recording Studio. £25
At the beginning of any Kakatsitsi workshop series, the participants are introduced to the various drums and instruments, their history and use in traditional society. The three teachers present will quickly demonstrate the pattern, usually the traditional Oge rhythm, gradually introducing the separate component parts so the students can see how they fit together. Learning the correct technique of any skill is a pre-requisite to sustained progress. Five principal techniques of bringing sound from a drum ‘Tone’ and ‘Bass’ ‘closed tone’, ‘closed slap’ and ‘open slap’ are taught so that participants can acquire the right technique to compile rhythms.
The drum workshops are taught by the senior Master Drummer in the group, assisted by a colleague who sits in amongst the students. This is so that when the group is divided in to two groups, each group has an experienced drummer to watch and follow. It is not necessary to have a drum to participate in this workshop as Kakatsitsi are touring with a number of Kpanlogo drums, the traditional drum of the Greater Accra Region. They also attach great importance to the use of light percussion - various bells, shakers and rattles - which provide the repetitive, constant pattern that keeps the ensemble.
1.30 – 5.30 Dance and song. Universal Hall Auditorium. £25
The dance that is taught is the traditional Kpanlogo dance of the Ga people of Southern Ghana. After a short warm up, the dance is broken down into component moves, which are followed by a reoccurring move that acts as a ‘full stop’ to each sequence. The dancers are taught how to listen to the solo calls of the drummer to guide their movement and to keep in time with the rest of the group.
Traditional Ga chants are learned using call and response, the solo calls of the leader answered in unison by the chorus.
Sunday 23rd August.
12.30 – 1.00 Film. Hip Life and the Ga Tradition - an exploration of the impact of the intrusion of western hip-hop styles and values on the traditional culture of the Ga people of Southern Ghana. By donation.
1.30 – 4.30 Drumming continues from Saturday. £20
1.30 – 4.30 Dance and Song. Different from Saturday. Newcomers welcome. £20