IT was pomp and pageantry in Ibadan as musicians and dancers, music teachers and scholars, drummers and performers, artists and painters and other creatives converged at the Alliance Française for the maiden edition of the Nations Rhythm Festival, which was held from Thursday to Saturday last week.
Peter Olalekan Adedokun, the founder and artistic director of the festival, stated that it was designed to bring people from all over the world to celebrate the universal language of music.
Adedokun, a versatile drummer, drum maker, performer and trainer, stated that the festival was designed to bring together local and international artists to showcase and celebrate culture and unity through music, drum performances, lectures, and workshops. The festival also featured photographs and exhibitions of different drums, drummers, musicians and artists.
“The festival is more than just music,” Adedokun said. “We will learn how drums and rhythm work as therapy, and also how some ancient tools are utilised and applied in non-musical ways to enhance modern life.”
On the first day of the festival, there were lectures on ‘Drums Circles’ by Jonathan Murray (from the United States of America), followed by ‘Drums Therapy and Drums Education’ by Peter Olalekan Adedokun.
On the second day, there were lectures on art and its relevance to human existence by Diane Roberts (from Canada); another lecture on how to document and save artworks via photos and videos by Ademola Bamigbelu Origa; and a repeat of ‘Drums Therapy and Drums Education’ by Peter OlalekanAdedokun.
On the last day there were short speeches and a guitar performance by James Tyson (from the United Kingdom); followed by reviews of Day 1 and Day 2 lectures by Jonathan Murray and Diane Roberts; then another repeat of ‘Drums Therapy and Drums Education’ by Peter Olalekan Adedokun.
Christopher Emmanuel, the Director of Alajota Dance and Music Company, delivered the closing ceremony lecture entitled ‘Rhythm: Matrix of therapy’.
Emmanuel stated that some things, such as music, are related to science but beyond medicine. He said that for the body to function well, the heart must maintain a normal and steady rhythm and that music and dance can help the heart attain this normal, steady rhythm.
About 105 photos and artworks of different drums, drummers, musicians, and performers were exhibited at the festival.
The names of some of the African and Western musical instruments used at the events included dundun drums, bata Drums, adamo, apala or gangan drums, sakara drums, agbamole, sekereaje, igba drums, udu, ekwe, stones, eputu flute, Oja/Opi flute, sarewa flute, ghetta flute, keyboards, guitars, drums set, etc.
Some of the artists who performed at the festival included Jonathan Murray (USA), James Tyson (UK), Prince Choi (USA), Diane Roberts (Canada), Christopher Emmanuel (Nigeria), Ademola Bamigbelu (Nigeria), Harnar (Nigeria), Samskiddo (Nigeria), Adetoye Adeyeye (Nigeria), the Alajotas (Nigeria), Drumsvoice (Nigeria) and Olalekan Adedokun.
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