Aloha-Africa 2007
Aloha-Africa brought master drummer Ernest Borketey from Ghana to Kauai for a cultural exchange from February through June 2007
Drumming Classes
Thanks to a generous grant from the Stephen Stills Foundation, every child in Hanalei School attended drum classes with Ernest, assisted by Love Tribe member Rachel.
Darryl Miyasato's percussion class at Kauai High School.
Performance
Photos by Fawne Frailey, Candace Freeland
Photo by Anne O'Malley
Ernest performed around the island with Love Tribe.
Cultural Exchange
There is powerful medicine in the unity of earth-based cultures. In both Hawaii and Africa, dancers and musicians are the keepers of tradition, history, and spiritual practice. We believe that our project provides an authentic means to preserve and transmit deep indigenous knowledge … dancer to dancer, drummer to drummer.
Ernest with Anthropologist Mimi George, Kumu Hula Roselle Bailey, Meph Wyeth, Jessi Jardin, and Halau.
With Aloha-Africa's Kumu Hula Jessi Jardin
Audio and Video Recordings
Bruce Orth recorded Ernest's first CD, Gye Nyame, at Kalihiwai Studios for Wild River Records.
Zak at Wovenmedia Productions created a beautiful instructional DVD titled Invitation to Drumming.
Sol Man Productions documented the Aloha-Africa project and televised presentations on Hoi'ke Community Television.
