Royal Drummers of Burundi

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TheRoyal Drummers of Burundi,commonly known in recordings asThe Drummers of Burundior asThe Master Drummers of Burundi,[1]is apercussionensemble originally fromBurundi.Their performances are a part ofceremoniessuch as births, funerals, andcoronationsofmwami(Kings). Drums (calledkaryenda) aresacredin Burundi, and represent the mwami,fertilityand regeneration. The Royal Drummers use drums made from hollowed tree trunks covered with animal skins. In addition to the central drum, calledInkiranya,there areAmashakodrums which provide a continuous beat, andIbishikisodrums, which follow the rhythm established by the Inkiranya.

Royal Drummers of Burundi
Background information
Also known asThe Drummers of Burundi
OriginBurundi
Years active1960s–present

The performance of the Royal Drummers has been the same for centuries, and their techniques and traditions are passed down from father to son. The members of the ensemble take turns playing the Inkiranya, dancing, resting, and playing the other drums, rotating throughout the show without interruptions. 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 ornamentalspearsandshieldsand lead the procession with their dance. They then perform a series of rhythms, some accompanied by song, and exit the stage the same way, carrying the drums on their heads and playing.

Beginning in the 1960s, the Drummers have toured the world. They have recorded at least three albums -Batimbo (Musiques Et Chants)in 1991,The Drummers of Burundi(1992, recorded 1987)Real World(retitledLive atReal Worldin 1993) andThe Master Drummers of Burundi(1981 lp, 1994 cd). They have also appeared onJoni Mitchell'sThe Hissing of Summer Lawns(1975), and on "Zimbo", the B-side of theEcho & the Bunnymen12 "single of"The Cutter"(1983). It is often claimed that they perform on theDef Leppardsingle "Rocket",but this is a misattribution. They have influenced artists such asAdam and the AntsandBow Wow Wow,and inspiredThomas Broomanto organize theWOMADfestival in 1982, which shaped the burgeoningworld musicgenre.[2]

The Drummers were featured in Werner Herzog's filmFitzcarraldo,as the "drumming of the bushmen".

References

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  1. ^Dwek, Joel (2021-08-18)."BURUNDI: Les Maitres-Tambours du Burundi - Les Maitres-Tambours du Burundi".200worldalbums.Retrieved2023-10-09.
  2. ^Brooman, Thomas (2017).My Festival Romance.Tangent Books.ISBN1910089583.
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