Established in 1997, African Drumming has become Australia trusted name in West African music.
In 2017, we started introducing quality African instruments, along with high-quality performances and workshops, to New Zealand shores.
We are dedicated to sharing the music and culture of West Africa in all that we do. Our classes, workshops, study tours and performances connect us to a large and passionate audience. Not to mention our instruments! We run New Zealand’s only dedicated West African Music store and have a network of musicians, dacners, and craftsmen that stretches from NZ and Australia all the way to Africa.
Our team includes performers and drum makers from around West Africa such as Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Ghana, and of course homegrown talent too.
Don’t be shy to drop us a line to connect.
We believe in uniting cultures through the power of music.
The drum does not segregate, judge or condone; it is a unifier, an inspirer, and a panacea for body, mind and soul
We believe that the traditional rhythms of West Africa contain a magic that touches all who open themselves up to their offerings.
Put simply, the music can sooth and ignite, calm and energise, transport and ground. It can be a complex conundrum and the simplest modality, all at the same time.
The rhythm journey is a beautiful and often profound paradox, its depth knows no bounds.
It has been our goal to take the drum to as many corners of the world as possible.
Once it’s there, the vibration of the rhythm goes to work and magic happens.
Education
In 2019 we decided to take African Drumming on the road, and toured the length of New Zealand, spreading the joy of African Rhythms to schools and communities all across the country.
Our belief was that the rhythms would not only stimulate mind and body, but also provide wonderful learning tools for students at schools
We wanted to make our Education programs inspiring and engaging cultural experiences full of life lessons.
Wellbeing
The weight of evidence endorsing the positive benefits of African drumming just keeps growing.
We love the fact that we are building healthier, happier individuals and teams through the power of drumming.
We’ve partnered with Ghana based NGO (registered in the UK): Dream Big Ghana
DBG are based on the Volta region and have been running a hugely successful Sanitation project for over a decade.
We got on board right near the inception and have been raising funds back in Australia through our student concert nights, raffling off djembes.
So far, we’ve helped build two Toilet blocks and brought sanitation to dozens of locals who would otherwise be using the bush.
The latest initiative is an Education Centre. We’re proud to have donated funds for books as well as a set of drums for the ongoing Traditional Music program – designed to keep the roots and musical culture alive.
