Soto Koto World Culture - Jampara & The Burundi Drummers

The stirring sound of the famous drums of Burundi is blended with Swahili African roots Reggae music with an extraordinary timbre of the voices, superb flavour, instrumentals and vocals to create an exciting experience of music and dance.

The Drummers of Burundi are a percussion ensemble from the tiny country of Burundi in Central Africa. They bring a rhythm, dance and performance that is unparalleled – ancient and compelling, rooted in a tradition of mystical belief and as electrifyingly modern as any contemporary beat.

Ras Jampara, the exciting Swahili singer, combined his love for Reggae music with his Burundi roots, which makes this not only a music performance but a unique experience because of the Burundi drummers. This experience established the Batalion as a great, international roots Reggae band which earned them recognition and respect.

Their performances form part of many social ceremonies in Burundi, including births, funerals, and coronations of mwami (Kings). Timeless and ageless, the rhythm of Burundi is a truly powerful, hypnotic and enthralling experience.

The performance of the drummers has remained powerful for centuries, the techniques and traditions passed down from father to son. The members of the ensemble take turns playing a central drum, called the Inkiranya, dancing, resting, and playing the other drums, rotating throughout the performance without interruption.

In addition to the Inkiranya, there are Amashako drums that provide a continuous beat, and Ibishikiso drums, that follow the rhythm established by the Inkiranya.

At the start of their performance, the drummers enter balancing the heavy drums on their heads and singing and playing. There are some extra members who carry ornamental spears and shields and lead the procession with their dance. They then perform a series of rhythms, some accompanied by song, and exit the stage in similar fashion, carrying the drums on their heads and playing.

Ever since their first visit to this country twenty six years ago, the Drummers of Burundi have been a thing of legend; their name equivalent to an idea of true energy and joyful power.

Burundi, the country they come from, is one of the smallest in Central Africa and the tradition of drumming there comes from an ancient royal heritage. For centuries, the monarch’s rule and the people’s harvest have been accompanied by the thunderous and celebratory procession of the nation’s drummers and dancers. The drums themselves (called karyenda) are sacred, representing fertility and regeneration.

Jampara & The Burundi Drummers -- An experience not to be missed!