Akwaaba Ensemble shares music, culture with New Hampshire students
The Akwaaba Ensemble energized students at the Derryfield School on Friday morning with its upbeat African drumming.
The drummers and dancers were featured in a special assembly as part of Black History Month.
"Once you hear the sounds and the rhythms, it goes to your soul, and you can't just sit down, you know?" said Theo Martey, of the Akwaaba Ensemble.
Martey said he's in the business of spreading joy and happiness. The Akwaaba Ensemble visits schools and performs at festivals with the goal of sharing African culture through music and costume and getting people smiling, laughing and moving.
"For me to share with the students, it's priceless that you can share something that kids will enjoy and connect to it," he said.
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Martey grew up in Ghana in West Africa, one of 16 children to a military father. The family moved to the United States for better opportunities in 1998 when he was 18 years old.
He started the ensemble in 2002. He said the music is meant to be all-inclusive because "akwaaba" means "welcome."
"By coming to schools or bringing Africa to you, even if you can't go to Africa, Africa is where you are right now," Martey said. "And I want you to embrace and enjoy that moment."
During this Black History Month, Martey said he wants to be a voice of positivity and love.
"So, this is us, us African people or us Black people, and we celebrate and connect with everybody," he said.
One of the ways Martey sends that message is by sitting in front of a drum.
"I never get tired of playing drum. Never get tired of playing drum," he said. "I love it all the time."