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African culture creates movement at Austintown library
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests who attended Diomande's performance had the opportunity to go to the front of the room and learn new dance moves from Diomande. They then performed them while he played a drum.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Sogbety Diomande performed his dance, "the playful panther," for those at the Austintown library on Feb. 8. He referred to the animal as Bolohi.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Diomande performed with several instruments at the Austintown library. This drum is known for being one that makes very loud noises.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Diomande played a drum known as the "talking drum" for the guests at the Austintown library on Feb. 8. He wore different hats and costumes throughout his appearance.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
The Austintown library brought in special guest, Sogbety Diomande, to put on a West African style performance and teach the audience a lesson in African music and dance on Feb. 8.
The performance started off by Diomande entering the room while drumming on a djembe, a type of African drum most commonly made from goat skin and wood. After his first musical number, Diomande introduced himself to the guests and told them a little about his life. He grew up in West Africa in a village called Toufinga and he speaks 45 languages out of the 62 spoken in West Africa.
Diomande was very engaging and taught everyone how to say “Good afternoon” and “thank you,” in his primary language.
After introducing himself and sharing his language, Diomande dressed in an outfit that resembled an animal. The dance he performed is known as the “playful panther” dance and Diomande referred to his costume as “Bolohi.”
When Diomande finished his dance and returned in his original outfit, he spoje a little in the other instruments he can play and other outfits he wears for his performances.
“This is my hat and everywhere I go, a school or a library, the little ones, they laugh when I wear it,” said Diomande as he put on his hat.
Diomande said he wears his hat at every performance when he plays music and likes to get the audience involved. He asked the children what the hat reminds them of and has received several answers, one being a cow while one boy told him a turkey.
To get the audience more involved in the music, Diomande passed out shakers to different participants and they shook them while Diomande played his own instrument.
There were also extra drums Diomande brought for the guests who attended to play. He brought up two groups of several people so they could learn to play on the drum while he played with them.
Toward the end of the visit, Diomande taught those who wanted to learn how to dance a few African dance moves. After he taught the moves, he played the drum and had the guests dance to the music.
The Austintown library was grateful to have such a special guest bring a different culture to their own library.