I AM A WARRIOR: SUMMER CAMP 2019
On Monday, July 29th, 2019, DRUM the Program began its journey of platform implementation with youth population in the Shelby County, Alabama surrounding area. The intention of this immersive Summer Camp experience was: “Awakening the Warrior Within Our Children So They May Champion Their Lives.” Our target was to enroll twenty youth ages 7-18. We would provide them with a Cultural exercise of West African drumming and dancing. Included in this weeklong journey was a daily discussions or reflection about “what is it that they want to do in the world to be that warrior?” Through other community collaborative partners, the youth enrolled in the “Journey to West Africa” Summer Camp delivered moving statements of reflection in awareness and riveting drum and dance performances for their family and friends.
Our teaching team consisted of two Master drummers from Guinea West Africa: Babara Bangoura, and Aly Camara. We also had local support from African drummer Barry Johnson of Birmingham. Other Camp facilitators comprised of Amber Underwood providing case management services, Khloe Booker as Photographer, Tonya Smitherman and Janice Schneiberg as Community Liaisons. Mr. Robert Johnson of Maylene, Alabama shared his story of life in Africa while serving in the US Army with the youth three of the five days of camp. And yours truly Elvie Schooley served as West African dance instructor and Program Director.
With all the important components in place we began our journey with the youth by first engaging their minds to the idea that they too can be a warrior just as the ones that they have admired on television or in the movie Black Panther. Our goal was to open a paradigm shift in the personal perception of “who they are, or who they have been told that they are” to “who they want to be or become.” Some of the outcomes of this aspect of the platform was just beautiful. We saw images of fighter jets, dreams of exotic travels, images of a deep inward awareness such as shyness, there were also images that reflected a desire to be an Artist. I felt honored to have been able to guide an involvement of the unlocking of subconscious desires that obliged such powerful reflections.
The second leg of the journey was for the youth to learn a West African song, and two drum rhythms. Babara Bangoura of Guinea West Africa is an amazing teacher and facilitator. His skills and patience brought each youth along so that the outcome would have an impact on the participants and audience members. The youth learned a drum rhythm Dennadon which is played when the youth of a village are preparing for their Rites of Passage. Sofa is the other drum rhythm that the youth learned.
The dance component was to the rhythm Sofa which comes from the Malinke ethnic tribe in West Africa. This drumbeat is about the warrior who must go out and hunt, defend and protect the village. Using the music of Sofa would serve to continue connecting the dots of waking up the warrior inside. The youth learned some basic dance choreography of Sofa and used fresh cut black bamboo as their weapon.
Emily Gill of the University of Montevallo Theater Department assisted us with costume design. We supplied the youth with a wide variety of African print fabrics. Each camper chose a fabric of their own liking. Emily guided the costume making process by demonstrating that the outcome of the costume should be directed by the idea of the image that one is hoping to produce. It was cool watching the youth work together in pairs and helping each other create.
Our community partners in this astound camp included the Alabama Gourd Society who volunteered their services, donated material, and provided instructions. Participants painted their gourds with the intention of reflecting their warrior inside. This too was encouraging to watch. The students were asked to think about “what sound would your warrior make, how would he or she move inside of a forest or village?” This added another dimension to our intentional work of a paradigm shift.
The grand finale was beyond words to describe just how awesome the evening event turned out. The youth put on their costumes. Placed their mask upon their faces and paraded around the performance space so that all those attending could see their creations. I recall watching from a distance as they walked displaying their newfound image of themselves to their parents. They each moved with confidence and in unison. This too was heartfelt to witness. The group organized themselves to exhibition before the audience and even the smallest of them was not left behind.
I walked down the outside porch stairs to avoid the crowd. The youth were all gathered together waiting to begin. I felt the nervousness of my stomach and took a deep breath as a looked out at the crowd and saw over one hundred people had come to see, support and bless the beginning of DRUM the Program’s delivery into a part of the world that others have forgotten… the deep South. It is here were the struggle began and it is here were the continued battle of providing access to a cultural art is essential and needed.
When watching the student performance, I was really humbled by the courage and confidence that the students displayed while delivering their drum and song presentation. There were smiles of joy and power of understanding that came from this aspect of the show. I remember looking at the faces of the parents and realizing that they too were blown away by what their children were laying down for the audience. The dance of Sofa was astounding and full of courage. Each group danced the choreography with their weapon as they moved in synergy with the drum.
Cultural Arts carry the history of people and communities inside of them. They provide answers to long lost knowledge of how and why communities gathered functioned and survived. Inside of Cultural Arts experiences are the access points for joy, freedom, renewal, and bridges to others who are different. The impact of the “Journey to West Africa” Summer Camp opened the minds of the youth involved. The immersive experience delivered drum and dance rhythms in context of culture maximizing the effect of our intention. The true outcome of this immersive camp will be seen into the future as each of the youth who participated move into their lives with a renewed sense of confidence.
Program Director of DRUM the Program, Elvie Schooley, explains the importance
and the mission of the first annual Journey to West Africa summer camp.
Please check out our Facebook Page for more videos and photographs of this amazing event.
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