I was hired by an African fair-trade soap company to play djembe today at Whole Foods' "Tribal Gathering", their national networking event. While we played, two lovely ladies from Togo performed the quintessential African task of pounding Karité nuts in a giant wooden mortar to extract Shea butter. They pounded in succession as we played, following our tempo exactly. With the exception of being covered in reddish brown slop, their mortar looked a lot like Abou's djembe.
For more information on Alaffia's amazing social work and high quality body products (and to see a great video clip of women in Togo pounding Shea nuts while singing and clapping hands) visit: (pictured from L to R: Ibada, Olowo-n'djo, Noah, Abide, Abou)www.Alaffia.com
Thanks to Olowo-n'djo, Rose, and all the crew of Alaffia!
Thanks for reading my blog!