We were delighted when Oasis One World Choir in Cardiff successfully secured funding from Tŷ Cerdd in March 2021 to invite N’famady Kouyaté to provide online workshops for their amazing choir group made up of refugees and asylum seekers resident in Cardiff. Workshop participants included individuals and families hailing from Nigeria, Iran, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Wales, Sudan, and Morocco to name a few.
Over the course of 6 weeks, participants enjoyed twice weekly online djembe drumming workshops via Zoom, which culminated in an outdoor physical event at the Oasis Centre, Cardiff, on May 1st 2021. Finally, due to a relaxation in COVID restrictions, workshop attendees were able to come together for the first time to play the rhythms and song they had been learning and developing together remotely. The group now have new skills and new rhythms to add to their repertoire informed by West African griot traditions.
Many thanks go to Laura Bradshaw & Tracy Pallant for making it all possible.
Film footage by Amy Peckham.