Lowe’s Wong Infant School, Southwell, pupils get hands-on taste of West African Djembe drumming

School pupils had the chance to get hands-on with their learning about Africa, with a Djembe drumming workshop.

This week year two pupils at Lowe’s Wong Infant School, Southwell, had a special visit from Andy Harris, who led an entertaining drumming workshop.

It ties in with the pupil’s education about Africa, which has seen them learn about the continent’s geography, food, and cultures.

Year two teacher Sally Roche said: “As part of our learning this half term our enquiry theme is how are the arts celebrated in Africa?

“We’ve done a range of learning about Africa, and the Djembe drumming is part of their music education.

“It’s been really lovely, everyone has got involved. Some of my pupils came out and said it was the best day they’d had in school — it’s something different and exciting.”

As well as exploring the traditional instrument, which is played with bare hands and hails from West Africa, students practiced their musical skills in call and response, and holding a beat.

Andy explained that the drums’ purpose is to bring communities together, and can be used to tell stories through the different sounds it makes.

Pupils took part in a range of exercises including creating their own chants and rhythms, group drumming, and call and response.