The sounds of clapping and laughter echoed through Pictou Library as local children danced the winter away African style.
Leading this impromptu troupe was Abena Tuffour, whose vibrant West and South African dance routines were backed up by fast drumbeats on traditional djembe and conga drums.
“I just like the fun. It brings me to life, it gets me out of my head and can be fun on the light end to really transcendent on another level,” said Tuffour.
Born to Ghanaian parents, Tuffour grew up in Canada listening to the music played by her family.
When she was older Tuffour spent a year in Ghana without her parents, having already visited family there several times.
“That was a really transformative year where I had to learn a lot. It was challenging in some aspects but definitely a positive and amazing year,” said Tuffour.
In her parents’ birth country, she learned the full intensity of traditional dancing and the stories behind the music.
Indeed, even the instruments she used tell their own stories. The djembe drum is made out of carved wood and is tuned by wood with a goatskin top played by hand.
Many people say the drumbeat symbolizes Mother Earth, a feminine sound on an instrument using skin from a female goat.
The Bambara people of Mali believe that the djembe drum’s name comes from the phrase ‘Anke djé, anke bé’ which means ‘everyone gather together in peace’.
Gathering in peace is what 20 or so children did in Pictou, taking part in dance routines and checking out the djembe.
“It’s nice to share something that’s new to a lot of people and to see who responds and how they respond, and it brings me joy, so at the very least I can spread a bit of that to others,” said Tuffour.
Nova Scotia’s African Heritage Month began on Feb. 1. Tuffour was at Dalhousie for the university’s own celebration and flag-raising ceremony.
As well as dancing, Tuffour completed creative writing courses at both St. Francis Xavier University and the University of Ghana.
She also has a master’s degree in Environment and Sustainability. Tuffour writes about the environment, arts and culture, human-interest stories and life lessons learned along the way.
