What do you get when you combine a goat, some rope and a couple of trees? A zip-lining Billy goat? Well, maybe. But you also get an informative and interactive African soul drumming event. Jan. 24 in Sturm Hall, The Rhythms of Africa, featuring Ghana native Emmanuel Annang, created a memorable ruckus.

Annang began by sharing his story with the crowd. Growing up in Ghana, he experienced all the consequences of being educated in an underdeveloped country. He completed his degree in electrical engineering, but, with the limited resources Ghana’s university system has to offer, it was not easy.

“This is a very large problem for Ghana’s students,” says Annang. “We have out-of-date facilities and equipment. How can a student thrive in this environment?”

Having trouble finding work as an electrical engineer in Ghana’s competitive job market, Annang decided to dedicate his time to the students of Ghana and other undeveloped countries in Africa.

He began his work in 2010, and since then has started numerous organizations, his first being The Humanitarian Aid Foundation. This non-profit is a volunteer institution that provides families in Ghana with basic health care.

Annang believes that students have the ability to make a huge impact, and this is why he has also started a few internship programs, one of which is focused in health and medical studies. This particular program gives students the chance to travel to Ghana and assist The Humanitarian Aid Foundation, among various other opportunities.

Annang also founded the African Cultural Studies Program, which allows students from the United States to travel to study in Ghana, and vice versa. This program gives students the opportunity to transcend international barriers and share the wealth of their knowledge.
After hearing about all of these ventures Annang is involved with, the drums lining the stage seemed to just be décor.

Annang began to direct his speech towards the instruments, explaining that this drumming tour is how he promotes awareness for the work he is doing.

“Drumming brings people together,” he says.

The drums, as he explains, came directly from Africa and were not modified with state-of-the-art parts from the U.S. as so many drums are nowadays. They were carved from trees deep in the forests of Ghana, covered by goatskin and bound with thick ropes and riems.
With bandaged fingers and a heart full of soul, Annang began to beat down on the stretched goatskin. The auditorium quickly filled with loud, heavy rhythms as Annang moved his hands in all directions with impressive speed and agility.

The first piece he played was upbeat and joyful, and Annang lifted his head to the sky while playing, smiling in his concentration as beads of sweat started to appear on his forehead. He vigorously banged out rhythms, varying in tempos and sounds, mesmerizing the audience and drawing out various emotions.

After three beautiful solo pieces, Annang invited audience members to come on stage and join him. He showed the crowd a couple of “simple” rhythms to try together as a group. No longer was the crowd made up of separate individuals playing separate drums; they became one drum, playing one rhythm. The experience is harmonious and beautiful, justifying Annang’s strategy in using drumming to bring people together.

Just as a single hand striking a drum can make an impact, a single student willing to share his knowledge and ideas can do the same. Visit www.SoulRhythmAfricanDrumming.com for information on how to collaborate with Annang, spread your knowledge, and share the wealth that your ideas hold.