I have gone to all of DrumGhana’s practices this week which were Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. And we have a performance Saturday. Thursday Antoinette told me that I would be initiated into the group and that it would make it official that I was in it. So she told me that I needed to bring 500 CDs which is approximately $60 on Friday as well as some pastries, Coca-Cola‘s, and a bottle of dry gin. Of course, she had to help me gather those things because I didn’t really know where to get them. But Friday after rehearsal I had all of those things and we did the initiation. Antoinette said a prayer to the Christian God praying for my success as a drummer. Then she had another drummer in the group named Kofi (I’m not sure of spelling) lead a prayer to the gods from the traditional religions. He prayed to them for my success as a drummer. As he prayed, he poured out shots of the gin onto the ground in respect for the gods. It was a pretty interesting ritual. All of the group members were there and were focused on the prayer and all as well. After that, Antoinette, being a master drummer herself, blessed my drum and me. What this involved was her ceremoniously spitting gin on my drum. I then had to rub the drum with my hand and then rub the gin on my face three different times. Once that was complete, she had everyone in the group go around and wish me good luck and good thoughts on being a successful drummer. That was really cool because though none of them really speak English, they could speak enough to wish me well. And each of them did in a very sincere way. They each came up to me, spoke to me directly, looked me in the eye, and wished me well and good luck as a drummer. It was a very cool feeling. After that I presented the money the group had requested of me, and they divided it amongst themselves. The ceremony ended by everyone eating the pastries (meat pies) and drinking Coca-Colas and Malta beverages (another drink option similar to Coke and very popular in Ghana – I tried it and did not like it), and we just hung out for a while. So, I am now officially initiated into DrumGhana as a drummer! It was a very cool thing to be part of.
I just can’t believe I’m here doing all of this. What an amazing opportunity!
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