38-year old tells how children in his native Senegal are born to the beat of the drum  as part of their culture 

KARIM Mbaye did not choose to learn the drums, they chose him.

The 38-year-old, who has lived in Warrington for two years, was born in Kaolack where his family were the oral historians of Senegal, known as griots.

Stories were shared to the rhythm of West African drums.

“For a griot, the drumming chooses you through birthright,” said Karim, whose family’s story is documented in a book called Masters of the Sabar by Patricia Tang.

“Senegalese children are born to the beat of the drum, we heal with the drum and it is so embedded into our culture it is now in modern music.

“I love to drum because I see my parents, grandparents and know this is what I was born to do and how it was for my ancestors.”

Karim’s father Massaer Mbaye was a prominent drummer and his mother Agida Seck was a dancer and the first woman to drum in public at the Iba Mar Diop stadium.

But when his parents died when he was young, Karim used the drums to provide for himself.

Karim, whose brother Thio is one of Senegral’s renowned percussionists, added: “When I drummed at the age of 15 I got money from people and I bought myself shoes, clothes and fed myself.

“It’s then I knew that my life would be easy with the drums. I concentrated hard and listened to my brother to be the best of the best.”

Karim then decided to pack his drums and see the world. He lived in Australia for a year and then travelled and performed in Lebanon, Spain, Denmark, America and Japan.

He settled in the north west and lived in Manchester for eight years before moving to Crosfield Street.

Karim is now looking forward to performing at Warrington Ethnic Communities Association’s Mela at Parr Hall and Queen’s Gardens on August 10.

He will be joined by two of his African drumming students, Josh Woods and Mark Sharp, who are both aged 25 and from Newton.

Karim said: “I love seeing the wonderful vibrant colours of traditional dress from different cultures, hearing music, seeing and joining in dancing and tasting food from around the world.

“I hope it grows bigger each year. As well as performing, I will be taking some drums to give people the opportunity to try African drumming.”

Karim, who played drums on Baaba Maal’s album Missing You at Abbey Road Studios, also teaches weekly African drumming lessons at the Pyramid centre on Mondays.

He added: “This is why I am here in England – to teach my drumming culture. I feel the classes give people a musical experience they might not normally have access to or know much about.

“The people I teach in Warrington love to share my culture and drum with me and this makes me very happy.

“I enjoy how the drum elevates people to happiness. You can be really down, having a bad day, but when you start to drum, it lifts your spirit and you feel the rhythm in your body.”

Karim Mbaye will perform at Warrington’s Mela on August 10 between 11am and 5pm For more information about classes call Karim on 07902 336623 or email karim.mbaye@hotmail.co.uk

DAVID MORGAN