by Bachikaze » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:17 pm
I am a big fan of Batimbo (Drummers of Burundi). I built a drum group partially based on the performance style of this group. I wrote this for a website:
Wow! Powerful stuff. The Burundi Drummers, like Kodô, are a visual, as well as musical treat. The ensemble consists of twelve to twenty drummers who are court musicians in their country. The drummers enter the performing area with their large peg pedestal-shaped drums on their heads. They form a semi-circle with the large amashako drums on one side and the similar-looking but smaller ibishikizu drums on the other. In the center is the inkiranya, an amashako painted in the colors of the Burundi flag. They beat a constant, evolving set of rhythms while dancing and leaping.
Each member takes a turn playing the lead part on the central inkiranya, displaying his talents in his rhythms and his dancing, leaping, miming, and caricatures of people and animals.
The drums are large, with a heavy sound. They are played with long, thick sticks. For sharp punctuation, players strike the flanks of the wooden drums, as well as the cowhide head. They also shout in unison at changes in the rhythm.
Part of the inspriration for our ikigala bass drums came from the drums of Batimbo. We also play some rhythms in a style inspired by their performances.
Unfortunately, I have found no videos better than choppy, blurry images. There really should be a DVD of these guys. I have three audio CDs of them. Good luck, and please let me know if you're more successful than I have been.