At a modern tribal gathering, an ancient tradition continues...

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.

While industry folk bobbed their heads and snapped iphone pics, they were witnessing the living enactment of two interconnected traditions that date back thousands of years.

Long before the first djembe, the wooden grain mortar was an inspiration for music. West Africans have traditionally used rhythm in many aspects of their work and social lives, and the pounding of grain is no exception. 2 to 4 women stand in a circle around the mortar. One at a time, they slam their pestles down into the bowl, and by maintaining a steady rhythm will they avoid hitting simultaneously. One way they can maintain an even tempo is by singing songs together.

After years of daily pounding, the bottom of the mortar must eventually wear through. I believe that a worn-through grain mortar may have formed the shell of the first djembe or dunun hundreds of years ago. The steady rhythm of the women's work songs laid the foundation for more complex drum patterns played in centuries to come.

The connection of the mortar to the djembe illustrates the role of rhythm in traditional West African life. I was honored today to connect these ancient traditions in a modern context and bring some rhythm to a different type of tribal gathering.

(pictured from L to R: Ibada, Olowo-n'djo, Noah, Abide, Abou)

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:   www.Alaffia.com

Thanks to Olowo-n'djo, Rose, and all the crew of Alaffia!

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