Musical Belongings V. lautten compagney BERLIN meets Talking Drums from Nigeria

The lautten compagney BERLIN explores the possibilities of music beyond the colonial canon with their project TALKING DRUMS: NIGERIA. The project critically examines the unchallenged perpetuation of broad labels like “African music.” The methods of so-called “early music” from Europe reveal parallels to West African performance practices, as exemplified by techniques such as ostinato/riff, call and response, and hoketus/interlocking. These shared origins and differences will be explored in a one-week workshop and two concerts on May 2 and 3, 2025, at the Humboldt Forum.

At the heart of the project are two musical traditions: the music of the Yoruba people in Nigeria, with its highly developed percussion culture, and the compositions of Charles Ignatius Sancho, who in the late 18th century became the first Black composer to perform in London and exercise the right to vote in Britain.

Among the musicians who keep the rich heritage of the TALKING DRUMS alive is Aralola Olamuyiwa, also known as Ara, celebrated as the “Queen of the Talking Drums.” Recognized as the first Nigerian woman to gain worldwide recognition in the male-dominated world of percussion, she also serves as a cultural ambassador for the Ooni of Ife and the Yoruba culture. Ara is not only a drummer but also a singer and entertainer. She will be joined in Berlin by a three-member percussion ensemble featuring the Bata, Omele, and Dundun drums.

The so-called “talking drums” of West African cultures were traditionally tools of daily communication, often functioning as message drums capable of mimicking the pitch patterns of tonal languages. Today, the drums are more ritually integrated, holding significant religious and ceremonial roles.

The contemporary interpretation and queer reading of Yoruba mythology play a major role in the literary work of Logan February. Born in 1999 in Anambra, Nigeria, this poet and essayist will reflect on songs and stories from the talking drum tradition, exploring their linguistic character through their texts and reflections.

Participants

• Ara – Lola Olamuyiwa
  
• Sesan
  
• Gbade
  
• Muta oni bata Ara
  
• Logan February
  
• Lautten Compagney Berlin
  

Lola Olamuyiwa, popularly known as “Ara” the Queen of Culture, is the first female talking drummer of international repute. She has revolutionized the art of drumming by breaking an age-long African tradition that restricted drumming to men. Ara’s performances are filled with passion, electrifying dance, powerful singing, mesmerizing drumming, and captivating stage theatrics, enchanting her audience and leaving them wanting more.She has performed alongside international superstars across the globe, from Nigeria to the USA, Jamaica, India, United Kingdom, China, France, Ghana, Canada, Spain, and more. Notably, Ara recorded and performed with the legendary Stevie Wonder on his album “A Time to Love”.Ara has also shared the stage with renowned artists such as Wyclef Jean, Wizkid, Davido, Wesley Snipes, All-4-One, Femi Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Angélique Kidjo, Teni, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Seun Kuti, D’banj, 2Baba, Made Kuti, and many more.She is a recipient of numerous awards both locally and internationally.Fondly referred to as “The Queen of Culture”, Ara is the founder and CEO of the Ara Drum Heritage Center. When not on stage, she is passionately committed to promoting the beauty of African culture and tradition and is dedicated to nurturing female talents in the art of drumming.Her unique ability to blend the talking drum into various genres of music ranging from Afrobeat, Afrobeats, Salsa, Reggae, Dancehall, and Classical is truly remarkable.

Sesan is a professional drummer who plays traditional drums such as (Àpàlà) the talking drum, Omele drum, Sákárà and the Îyà Ìlù. He has been a member of the Ara Entertainment Productions for over 20 years.

Gbade is a professional drummer who plays drums such as Jembe, Conga, Àpàlà (talking drum), Omele drum and Shekere. He has been a member of the Ara Entertainment Productions for over twenty years.

Muta oni bata Ara, as he is fondly called, is a professional bàtá and Ìya bàtá drum player. He has performed alongside other notable stars like Lagbaja and has been a member of Ara Entertainment Productions for ten years.

Logan February, born in 1999 in Anambra, Nigeria, is a non-binary poet, essayist, singer, songwriter, and LGBTQ activist. In addition to publications in literary journals, Logan has released three poetry collections—How to Cook a Ghost (2017), Painted Blue with Saltwater (2018), Garlands (2019)—and the poetry book In the Nude (2019), which have been partially translated into Spanish, Italian, and Dutch. In 2020, Logan February was awarded the Future Awards Africa Prize for Literature. In the spring of 2024, the anthology Mental Voodo was published in German, English, and Yoruba by Engler Verlag. In 2024, Logan February has been a fellow in the DAAD Berlin Artists Program and has performed in Berlin at the Afrolution Festival, the African Book Festival, the ILB, the Poetry Festival, and at the Literarisches Colloquium. 2025 he is poet in residence in the Humboldt Forum, fundet by the Programm “Weltoffenes Berlin”.

Logan February is funded by the ‘Weltoffenes Berlin’ programme of the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.

- 16 € / reduced 8 €
- 18.00 Introduction
- Duration: 90 min
- No language skills required
- Hall 2, ground floor
- Belongs to: Musical Belongings