Contemplating a band/group name was something I had been doing for a while, just in case I needed to arrange a drumming performance. I actually never envisioned a drumming group for performances, as I was quite happy teaching rhythms to students through my passionate hobby of playing the djembe, but then I was asked to to get a group of like minded drummers together to perform for Africa Day here in Wellington.
We were due to perform along side the Moringa Dancers and Robert Fugah on Saturday the 24th May 2014 and unfortunately the organisers of the event got a little confused between and another local drumming group and were just about to print the programmes for the event with the incorrect group on the program .
"OK, Time to decide", I thought. We really needed to have a name with a connection to the music we play and that represents who and what we are all about. I knew I wanted unity/togetherness to be the theme and I also made a conscious effort to not have African in the group name, as none of us are in fact African, but a name that can be recognised as African in origin.
Why unity/togetherness? Well I wanted to have the group name be something that indicates a oneness in the drumming community. We come from all walks of life, but when we play together as a group, we become one. Unified. We are individuals bringing our individuality together to create a unique rhythm and sound.
Also according to the Bambara people in Mali, the name of our main drum (the djembe) comes from the saying "Anke djé, anke bé" which translates to "everyone gather together in peace." so unity and togetherness seems perfect.
My love of playing the mbira, marimba and feeling that we would ultimately incorporate these instruments in our group, led me to the Zimbabwean influence of Chris Berry, who was and still is a great teacher and friend. Whilst being taught to play these instruments and learning so many of his rhythms by Chris (who's music is heavily influenced by his life in Zimbabwe) led me to the Zimbabwean (Shona) word for togetherness and unity - Kubatana.
We were due to perform along side the Moringa Dancers and Robert Fugah on Saturday the 24th May 2014 and unfortunately the organisers of the event got a little confused between and another local drumming group and were just about to print the programmes for the event with the incorrect group on the program .
"OK, Time to decide", I thought. We really needed to have a name with a connection to the music we play and that represents who and what we are all about. I knew I wanted unity/togetherness to be the theme and I also made a conscious effort to not have African in the group name, as none of us are in fact African, but a name that can be recognised as African in origin.
Why unity/togetherness? Well I wanted to have the group name be something that indicates a oneness in the drumming community. We come from all walks of life, but when we play together as a group, we become one. Unified. We are individuals bringing our individuality together to create a unique rhythm and sound.
Also according to the Bambara people in Mali, the name of our main drum (the djembe) comes from the saying "Anke djé, anke bé" which translates to "everyone gather together in peace." so unity and togetherness seems perfect.
My love of playing the mbira, marimba and feeling that we would ultimately incorporate these instruments in our group, led me to the Zimbabwean influence of Chris Berry, who was and still is a great teacher and friend. Whilst being taught to play these instruments and learning so many of his rhythms by Chris (who's music is heavily influenced by his life in Zimbabwe) led me to the Zimbabwean (Shona) word for togetherness and unity - Kubatana.
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