Written by Daniela Martinez
"I am you, and you are me." Those are words spoken by several cultures and in many different languages throughout our globe. Time after time, we are reminded of the everlasting pull between us. This is the feeling we relish and rejoice in when Delou Dance Africa comes around every year. Firstly, the drums. Joshua's Drums came to be only due to the opportunities that have been bestowed upon us through community and mentorship. Joshua began as a guitarist at thirteen, then he became a bassist, and finally, he found the drums. The thing about the drums is, such an instrument is conceivable in organic materials and pure force of will. However, the ingredients necessary to achieve the desired effect are derived from life itself: the life of the tree, the life of the animal, and the life of the builder. Only with the wisdom of those who came before us can we create or re-create these living objects, maximizing their energetic output while preserving the soul essence. For this reason, Joshua looked to Delou Africa for drum lessons at the point of his journey where his talent and inspiration needed the proper guidance to flourish. This is where the Delou Community received us with open arms at the Dance Africa Miami event hosted by Njeri Plato inside Florida Memorial University annually. Now, we are lucky to participate as students and vendors.
This event takes you through time and space. When the drums begin, you are transported to Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Congo, Cuba, and Haiti. Whether it be Djembe, DunDun, Sabar, Bata, or Conga, we are all passengers in the musical landscape. This year we were blessed with the mentorship of Djembe and DunDun from Aboubacar Soumah, Aboubacar Sylla, Fode Bangoura, and Sheila Alexander on the Shekere. The reality is that these masters are numbered here in Miami. Delou might be the only place to preserve these traditions and pass them along to the younger generation around where we live. For this, we are forever grateful. Joshua's Drums is dedicated to the gathering of information, resources, and experiences which will enable the repair, preservation, and continued spiritual impact of these timeless tools and instruments. We may ask ourselves: Why Africa? The answer is simple. Africa holds the key to uncovering the origins of humanity. South Florida's culture cannot stand alone as one of a kind, because we are a melting pot of genetic and cultural heritage. We do not all grow up with an abundance of tradition that will guide us into prosperity along with the rest of our generation, yet communities such as Delou are ensuring the continued growth and prospering of the elders and youth alike, no matter when or where in history we find ourselves in need of these ancient rites of passage.
As a Cuban, whose first drum experience came from the Cuban conga, Josh relies on the influence of his afro-carribean culture to guide his craft and mastership. It is with his influence that he encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and participate in one of the dance classes Delou also has to offer. This year we had the privilege of experiencing the dance stylings of Mouminatou Camara, Youssouf Koumbassa, Nafi Diabate, and Aboubacar Soumah from Guinea. From Haiti, Dr. Weislande "Yanui" Cesar. Kosi Williams from the United States. From Mali, Djeneba Sako and Souleymane Sana. Barikissa Coulibaly from Ivory Coast. Marisol Blanco from Cuba. Rujeko Dumbutshena from Zimbabwe. Babacar Mbaye from Senegal. Finally, Mabiba Baegne from the Congo. Of course, I picked the Cuban Rumba class as a first step toward the re-discovery of my hispanic roots. I was brought to America from Colombia when I was six years old. I was able to find a lot of comfort in the similarities between Rumba and the Cumbia dance of my people. Along with the skirt and handkerchief, both cultural staples are a powerful remnant and undeniable example of the African Diaspora. Its roots are without a doubt found in the way our ancestors found joy and meaning in survival as a community forced away from its place of origin. That is how here in Miami, together with Delou, we find happiness.
You can find out more about their expansive program here: https://delouafrica.org/
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