Untitled Document

Lamma Island touched by African rhythms

By Leonie Wong

Africa Djembe is a musical group from Senegal in West Africa. It has migrated to Lamma Island in Hong Kong.
Every Sunday, Hong Kongers can play drums with Mamadou, Makha, Ibou and Mansaly, the members of Africa Djembe. They are all from one family.
Djembe is a traditional African drum, round in shape and made of animal skins. It can be played by hands or with sticks.
“Djembe is a very powerful and spiritual instrument. In Africa, we use the drums to communicate with each other,” said Mamadou, the group leader.
“You can see djembe everywhere in Africa,” he said. “Because I grew up in Senegal, I feel comfortable every time when I play drums. It makes me feel energetic and like I am at home.
“Djembe is spiritual because it can be only made by hand, but not machine,” he added.
His family has played – and made –drums since 1910. He learned how to play and make drums from an uncle in Aftica who is an expert in drum making.
“It was once difficult for me to make drums, but it is very easy now because I know many tricky ways to make them,” he said.
The animal skins used to make drums should be dried naturally under the sun and it takes about 48 hours to finish a drum.
He said once he was in Europe, where there is not much sunshine, so he dried the skins by placing them in front of a heater.
“But it didn’t work,” he said.
Mamadou said that Hong Kong is not the only place they want to settle in.
Said he: “We have shared drumming with many people in different countries, and that is exactly what I want to do in Hong Kong.”
Before coming to Hong Kong, Mamadou studied in Paris and in the United States. After school he taught disabled children how to play traditional African drums. He has also been to Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia.
“I think it is a very good experience for a musician to travel to different countries,” he said.
“When I was having a party at my workshop in Canada one day, I met a Hong Kong man. He suggested that I go to Hong Kong and play drums there,” he said.
Mamadou came to Hong Kong in 1998. His three cousins — Makha, Ibou and Mansaly — arrived in January 2000.
Mamadou said communication is the greatest obstacle here.
“I am learning Cantonese in a Chinese school now,” he said.
“It helps me to teach in Hong Kong. I want to show Hong Kong people that I respect them,” he said.
He said when he says some words in Cantonese, the people laugh as if they have never seen a black man speaking Cantonese. It creates a relaxed atmosphere.
Even though he knows only a few Cantonese phrases, he said he would keep on learning.
Mamadou said there is one thing in Hong Kong that surprises him a lot.
“I met many Chinese here whose family name is Lam, Lo or Au. These are names we used in our country thousands of years ago,” he said.
“Maybe some Africans settled down here and their names are passed on now.
“Whenever I meet someone whose name is Lam, Lo or Au, I think there are some connections between us,” he said.
Mamadou did not know anything about Asia before arriving in Hong Kong.
“After I came here, I learned much of its culture,” he said.
Although he has visited many countries, he said he likes Hong Kong the most.
“I have nice students and people are nice here. Maybe there will be something that I dislike, but I haven’t seen it yet,” he said.
Being of a different race has added to Mamadou’s cultural experience.

Djembe is a hand-made traditional African drum.

Leonie Wong

Every Sunday the members of Africa Djembe wear traditional African clothes and play drums.

Leonie Wong

Africa Djembe’s goal is to spread African culture to different countries by sharing their traditional drumming.

“Because there are not many black people in Hong Kong, people keep a little bit away from you,” he said.
“But when you make friends with them, things go well.”
Mamadou said he loved Lamma Island when he first arrived.
“This island is extremely suitable for us,” he said. “Because we have to do extensive rehearsals, it is impossible for us to live in an apartment on Hong Kong Island since it will disturb other people.
“But here on Lamma Island I can play drums on the beach and nobody will complain about us,” he said.
Every Sunday evening they play drums on a beach on Lamma Island and they welcome people to join. They also share the African food they make.
The band is very busy all week, however.
“We teach in many schools and we have a shop selling traditional African accessories and food,” he said.
“We like to swim and play basketball and football in our leisure,” added Makha.
Their house contains a poster of Allen Iverson, a football, and many videotapes of basketball matches.
Being part of a group, Mamadou said they need to be cooperative.
He said, “My partners are sweet kids and they are considerate. They are all good at drumming and are professional.”
Africa Djembe has made a great effort in spreading African culture, and their goal is clear.
“I want to spread African drumming not only in Hong Kong, but also in China.
“I want to teach in different Chinese schools as well as hospitals. I want to teach more disabled children drumming.
“Every time when I teach them I think I make them feel good. But they even make me feel better,” said Mamadou.
“I want to share my culture with people from all walks of life.”
Sunset. Beach. Drums. Such is the life of Africa Djembe, even here in Hong Kong. Their music is passionate, and so are they.

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Africa Djembe is a musical group from Senegal in West Africa. It has migrated to Lamma Island in Hong Kong. Every Sunday, Hong Kongers can play drums with Mamadou, Makha, Ibou and Mansaly, the members of Africa Djembe. They are all from one family. Djembe is a traditional African drum, round in shape and made of animal skins. It can be played by hands or with sticks. “Djembe is a very powerful and spiritual instrument. In Africa, we use the drums to communicate with each other,” said Mamadou, the group leader. “You can see djembe everywhere in Africa,” he said. “Because I grew up in Senegal, I feel comfortable every time when I play drums. It makes me feel energetic and like I am at home. “Djembe is spiritual because it can be only made by hand, but not machine,” he added. His family has played – and made –drums since 1910. He learned how to play and make drums from an uncle in Aftica who is an expert in drum making. “It was once difficult for me to make drums, but it is very easy now because I know many tricky ways to make them,” he said. The animal skins used to make drums should be dried naturally under the sun and it takes about 48 hours to finish a drum. He said once he was in Europe, where there is not much sunshine, so he dried the skins by placing them in front of a heater. “But it didn’t work,” he said. Mamadou said that Hong Kong is not the only place they want to settle in. Said he: “We have shared drumming with many people in different countries, and that is exactly what I want to do in Hong Kong.” Before coming to Hong Kong, Mamadou studied in Paris and in the United States. After school he taught disabled children how to play traditional African drums. He has also been to Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia. “I think it is a very good experience for a musician to travel to different countries,” he said. “When I was having a party at my workshop in Canada one day, I met a Hong Kong man. He suggested that I go to Hong Kong and play drums there,” he said. Mamadou came to Hong Kong in 1998. His three cousins — Makha, Ibou and Mansaly — arrived in January 2000. Mamadou said communication is the greatest obstacle here. “I am learning Cantonese in a Chinese school now,” he said. “It helps me to teach in Hong Kong. I want to show Hong Kong people that I respect them,” he said. He said when he says some words in Cantonese, the people laugh as if they have never seen a black man speaking Cantonese. It creates a relaxed atmosphere. Even though he knows only a few Cantonese phrases, he said he would keep on learning. Mamadou said there is one thing in Hong Kong that surprises him a lot. “I met many Chinese here whose family name is Lam, Lo or Au. These are names we used in our country thousands of years ago,” he said. “Maybe some Africans settled down here and their names are passed on now. “Whenever I meet someone whose name is Lam, Lo or Au, I think there are some connections between us,” he said. Mamadou did not know anything about Asia before arriving in Hong Kong. “After I came here, I learned much of its culture,” he said. Although he has visited many countries, he said he likes Hong Kong the most. “I have nice students and people are nice here. Maybe there will be something that I dislike, but I haven’t seen it yet,” he said. Being of a different race has added to Mamadou’s cultural experience.
	Djembe is a hand-made traditional African drum.

	Leonie Wong

	Every Sunday the members of Africa Djembe wear traditional African clothes and play drums.

	Leonie Wong

	Africa Djembe’s goal is to spread African culture to different countries by sharing their traditional drumming.
	“Because there are not many black people in Hong Kong, people keep a little bit away from you,” he said. “But when you make friends with them, things go well.” Mamadou said he loved Lamma Island when he first arrived. “This island is extremely suitable for us,” he said. “Because we have to do extensive rehearsals, it is impossible for us to live in an apartment on Hong Kong Island since it will disturb other people. “But here on Lamma Island I can play drums on the beach and nobody will complain about us,” he said. Every Sunday evening they play drums on a beach on Lamma Island and they welcome people to join. They also share the African food they make. The band is very busy all week, however. “We teach in many schools and we have a shop selling traditional African accessories and food,” he said. “We like to swim and play basketball and football in our leisure,” added Makha. Their house contains a poster of Allen Iverson, a football, and many videotapes of basketball matches. Being part of a group, Mamadou said they need to be cooperative. He said, “My partners are sweet kids and they are considerate. They are all good at drumming and are professional.” Africa Djembe has made a great effort in spreading African culture, and their goal is clear. “I want to spread African drumming not only in Hong Kong, but also in China. “I want to teach in different Chinese schools as well as hospitals. I want to teach more disabled children drumming. “Every time when I teach them I think I make them feel good. But they even make me feel better,” said Mamadou. “I want to share my culture with people from all walks of life.” Sunset. Beach. Drums. Such is the life of Africa Djembe, even here in Hong Kong. Their music is passionate, and so are they.