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Washington Evening Journal
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HJ Nugen cultivates cultural experience
African drumming educator teaches about music and culture in New London
4-year-old Jersey Donnolly enjoyed learning about the hand drums and exercising some of her creative skills at the library, Tuesday. (photo submitted)
The children were separated into two groups to work together and create music on the hand drums. Third grade and under were part of group A and were more than happy to participate. (photo submitted)
Adults and fourth grade and older students enjoyed their own moments creating music during the African hand drum activity at the HJ Nugen Library. (Photo submitted)
NEW LONDON — Tuesday, HJ Nugen Library hosted one of their last summer programs, West African Drumming with Fonziba.
“The drums were a lot of fun,” Library Director Taelor Donnolly said.
Fonziba Koster, commonly known as Fonziba, has taught on West Africian Jembe hand drums since 1995.
Fonziba is a wealth of knowledge thanks to her time studying with master drummers from Mali, Guinea, Sengal and the Ivory Coast.
“Fonziba had a lot of interesting information.” Donnolly said.
Sitting at the front of HJ Nugen Library’s basement program area, Fonziba taught children the different sounds, patterns, and hand signals to successfully play the hand drums.
She intermingled history of the drums and African culture with opportunities for children to experience the music and adding their own creativity to the activity hands on.
According to Fonziba’s website African drumming has many benefits.
The action of hitting the drums can help release stress, frustration, and pent-up energy.
Music cultivates creativity and self-expression which in turn, increase self-esteem and confidence.
As program participants continue in skill building they learn how to work as a team and cultivate leadership skills to create as unit.
The patterns in rhythmic drumming help improve coordination, concentration, focus and recall skills as well.
Most of all, the activity is simply fun, relaxing, and also energizing.
The smiles and ready participation of those in attendance at HJ Nugen Library are an obvious testament to these benefits.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
