BoumBoum Drum Workshops work with the West African Malinke and Brazilian traditions of music, dance and song .... and then apply them to people and situations in our own communities and culture. Whether working in education, community groups, business training, or one on one, the same outcomes arise from playing together - a realization that we are all musical, we are all expressive, and that there is a great exhilaration to be had by sharing that experience and joining each other in rhythm.

The Malinke and samba rhythms which we share are from a tradition at least 700 years old, where music is intrinsic to daily life. In West Africa, music is used today as it has been for centuries,  to communicate, to bring people together socially and culturally - something that the West has unlearnt over the years. By bringing people together to learn this music, we can enable real, positive and lasting shifts in groups and individuals.

Some of the known benefits of drumming are:

• communication - developing listening and non-verbal communication skills is central to playing and enjoying this music                                                                                   
• relaxation - playing repeated rhythms takes our brains into alpha (meditative) state, gives a break from stress, and offers an alternative way to be together
• confidence - no previous training is needed to play, rhythm is inside us. After a brief introduction to safe technique, everyone can play, regardless of age or ability.
• a sense of community - Malinke music is polyrhythmic, needing the group to work together, to listen and respond to each other
• self-expression - there's nothing more exhilarating than that first tentative solo..
• ability to concentrate - this is not about 'thinking', but about 'body music' which drops into place when you let go
• self-esteem - that great feeling when you master a rhythm and can make it fly..

This web site is written to introduce you to BoumBoum Drum Workshops, to Malinke music, and to offer links to further information. Please contact us if there's more you'd like to know, or if you're interested in bookings, classes or performances.