African Voyage Workshop

Last Friday, students in grades 4-8 attended a workshop entitled ‘Voyage Africain’ hosted by the incredibly talented Njacko Backo. Mr. Backo is a French-speaking musician, dancer and storyteller from Cameroon and his engaging and lively presentation kept our students enthralled for over an hour! 

Students listened to a traditional folk story, sang in French and English, danced and learned about musical instruments from West Africa such as the Djembe (hand drum) and the Kalimba (thumb piano). Mr Backo invited students to come up and join him playing different instruments including cowbells, shakers and drums of different shapes and sizes. Once the band was comfortable with the beat, it was time for Mr. Backo to enlist the dance crew. After a quick lesson and a little practice, the dancers and the band joined the singing audience in a musical extravaganza in French and English that brought us all together. Our students left the presentation still clapping the beat and singing the songs and there is no doubt that they will remember this experience for many years to come!