Korean Cultural Centre trains 20 youths on Janggu drumming performance

By Ochiaka Ugwu

As a way of deepening cultural collaboration with Nigeria, the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) has organized a Five-Day-Class for training of 20 youths on Janggu drumming and performance in Abuja lasting from July 14 to 18.

Speaking at the Janggu Performance Showcase in Abuja Friday, KCCN Director, Mr. Jeon, Jo Hu said the Centre was showcasing the Korean instrument in Nigeria by way of introducing the Janggu Drumming Class which held from July 14 to 18 and Performance Showcase with 20 youths participating.

“We are also seeking the collaboration of Korean and Nigerian instruments with the aim of achieving cultural integration based on the fact that both nations have rich cultural heritage” he noted.

He said the Janggu was an instrument made by attaching leather to both sides of a wooden resonance chamber with a narrow waist, widely used from court ceremonial music to folk music, dance, and performances.

Also speaking, Janggu Drum instructor and National Coordinator of Guild of Theatre Arts Drummers in Nigeria, Isioma Williams said the training was to bring the awareness of Nigerians to appreciate the benefit of drumming and what it has got to offer both financially and health wise.

“We have disregarded most of our cultures which drumming is part of. You will find these drums in the palaces, in the royal gathering. It used in most of our passage of rites. We have neglected traditional drumming and we need to promote it” he said.

Williams who disclosed that 20 students participated in the Janggu Drumming Class that held from July 14 to 18, said the Janggu Drumming started in Lagos in 2014 with more than 100 Nigerians learning it.

He said that Nigerians are really embracing Janggu Drumming expressing optimism that many people will key into it in time to come.

He noted that cultures have a lot of similarity and the need to see how we make them meet for the appreciation of mankind.

“I will always appreciate Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria for their efforts in promoting both Korean and Nigerian cultures and committing to their tradition which I would want Nigerians to emulate.

One of the participants, Rose Edor an Administrative Assistant said she was motivated to join the class due to her love for music and interest in different cultures.

“I started learning Korean culture approximately two years ago. This is my first time experiencing traditional Korean music in general. That is why I joined the Janggu class.

“As a culture diplomat, my job is not only to learn the culture and replicate it, but rather to also attempt in reconciling both cultures especially Korean and Nigerian cultures. I am trying to be a bridge between Nigeria and Korea in many ways as possible” she stated.

Edor thanked KCCN for exposing her to a lot of cultural realities which she said were very exciting.

Another participant and a dance artist, Damina Jethro said it was an amazing experience noting that he enjoyed the whole process of learning the Janggu Drum which he described as exciting.

He said his passion has been music and that best explained why he choose to participate in the Janggu Drum class.

He thanked Korean Cultural Center saying that they had offered him something that was amazing and impacting.

Emilia Solomon who also took part in the class said Korean culture had always fascinated her which was the reason she enrolled for the Janggu Drumming Class.

Solomon who promised to continue practicing Janggu drum to perfection thanked Korean Cultural Centre for putting the class together.

All the participants were awarded Certificate of Participation in admiration of the audience who came to experience the Janggu Performance Showcase for the first time.

Recall that traditionally, the Janggu is played using Yeolchae on the right-hand high pitch area and uses the bare hand on the low pitch area.