A-ARTs: Dallas, Cuba, Haiti perform at Abeokuta ‘African Drum Festival’

In its second year, African Drums Festival, at Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria held the 2017 edition with more than 10 cultural troupes from the U.S., central America and over 10 African countries participated. Among the cultural groups were those from Dallas, Cuba and Haiti.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun unveiling an 18-feet high drum

When the event opened on Thursday, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State unveiled an 18-feet high drum, acclaimed to be the “tallest drum in the world.” At the maiden edition of the festival, a 17-feet high drum was unveiled as the tallest.

The African Drum Festival is designed to showcase heritage of the black race via a gathering of drums from different parts of the world.

At June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta where this year’s event was flagged off,
were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Olu of Ilaro, paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and the Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu.

From the Americas came representative of the Mayor of the city of Dallas, USA, Regina Hill; and Lady Bernard Suarres from Cuba.

Among foreign cultural troupes present at the three-day event were the Association of intersection Haiti, Association Toffondji of Togo, Leydis Bernal Suarez of Cuba, Faso Djarabi of Burkina Faso, La Campagnie N’tsamini, Afro Media, US; Gwari troupe, Ghana; and Nikki Spooner from the city of Dallas, US. READ MORE.

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