KCCN marks cultural day with Jang-gu drum performance

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Korea Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) yesterday thrilled Nigerian youths with Jang-gu drum performance, as part of the events marking the Korean monthly cultural day celebration in Abuja.
Jang-gu, which is a traditional Korean drum, was performed to the cheering of Nigerian enthusiastic audience by a Nigerian artist, Isioma Williams, who is a pioneer Jang-gu artist in Nigeria.
Briefing journalists during the ceremony, the new Director of KCCN, Lee Jin Su said the event is aimed at highlighting the similarities between the Korean and Nigerian people. He cited instance with the similarity between the Jang-gu and the Yoruba Bata drum.
He said the Jan-gu drum performance is targeted at arousing the nations shared sense of emotions and understanding, as a measure to strengthen the bilateral ties of both countries.
“It is an understanding that when accumulated, can spread in other areas of engagement, as economy and politics, between our countries,” says Jin Su.
In response to the challenges of facing Jang-gu performance in the country, Jin Su said the center will in the future look into measures to support the players, either financially or in the provision of platforms to showcase their skills to Nigerian audience.
Speaking also at the event, the Drum Artiste, and Jang-gu pioneer in Nigeria, Isioma Williams, urged for the provision of enhanced performing platforms for the growing number of Jang-gu in Nigeria.
According to him, there are 50 Nigerians drummers trained in the art of the Jang-gu, without the necessary instruments, and platforms to practice and showcase their skills to the public.
He said “I am worried about their future, what they are to do with the skills they have acquired.”