November 3, 2006 -- Voices of Africa, an all-women’s a cappella and traditional West African percussion ensemble, performed for the Brewster community today at Anderson Hall. Drumming, dancing, and singing in harmony, they played West African and Brazilian rhythms – some hauntingly beautiful, most strong and powerful. In several songs the rhythms got faster and faster until the hall was echoing with the sound. Their performance got many in the audience to their feet to dance and move to the music. One of the songs, which called for an audience response of “Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah,” was a big hit with the students.

Based in Philadelphia, the group’s purpose is “To spread the message of freedom, peace, and love through our music,” according to Nana Baakan Agyiriwah, the founder and managing director of the group. She began the program by acknowledging the Supreme Being, and expressed her thanks for her blessings: for being there on this day, for her ancestors, for the audience. She asked the students to thank the teachers who were a blessing to them.

Before each song, the drums to be used were described, since they are an integral “voice” in the performance. One particular drum, the sekere, or beaded gourd, has not only a fascinating sound, but also a beautiful appearance. One of the singers makes these drums from large dried hollowed-out gourds, into which the the dried seeds of the gourd are placed. Then a loose netting of beads and thin rope is woven around the gourd, making a drum that has a voice inside and out.

Agyiriwah pointed out that most rhythm and blues and hip-hop music is based on African rhythms, after the students responded by clapping along and stomping during a particularly rhythmic piece. The group was honored with a standing ovation at the end of the program.