WOMEN'S SEKERE ENSEMBLE

 The Women's Sekere Ensemble are percussionists dedicated to preserve and promote African music. Founded and directed by Omomola Iyabunmi in 1988, the Ensemble presents traditional drumming and singing using intricately beaded gourds called Sekere, a frame drum called Sakara and a bell instrument called Agogo.

The Ensemble presents music found in Africa and other locals throughout the African diaspora in countries such as Cuba, Brasil, Haiti and Puerto Rico.

The Philadelphia based group has performed locally and nationally at numerous schools, colleges, luncheons, dinners, conventions, festivals, libraries, churches, weddings, museums and nursing homes. The Ensemble continues to participate anually at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropolgy of "African Culture Day".

 Our workshops, residencies and classes are designed to foster an appreciation for African music. Our goals are to develop new skills in African percussion instruments, to encourage creativity, to develop discipline and concentration, to give each student an awareness and understanding of the basic elements of African music, to develop new ways of listening, seeing and feeling, and to teach them how to work in harmony with each other. Our concerts and lecture demonstrations enlighten as well as entertain our audiences about the richness of African music.

 A series of ongoing classes on the various African musical compositions. The history of the instrument, and the people will be discussed. Also the importance of African music and on what occassions it is played. 

 How to play: 2 hours for adults, 30 - 40 minutes for children. 

  The students will learn the technique of handing the instrument, posture and hand position. They will learn by rote as well as by hearing, feeling and sight. They will be able to identify the different tones of the gourd. The students will learn the different African compositions and how to put them together.

 How to make a Sekere: The students will start from scratch by cutting the top off the gourd, scraping out the pulp that is inside and scrubbing the outside clean. This if time permits, if not the gourds will be already prepared to string. The different shapes, tones, and colors will be discussed and how to take care of  the instrument. The students will begin to choose their color of beads for their instrument and the process of stringing begins.