SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – In West African culture, whether it’s a celebration or a funeral, the sounds of drums are everywhere. Drumming instructor David “Etse” Nyadedzor brought his love of drums and his culture to the Salt City in the late 1990’s from Ghana.
What he learned in the Ewe tribe, he hopes to share with the people of Syracuse.
“I call it my inheritance, something I inherited from my family, my great ancestors,” said Nyadedzor. “And I didn’t want to just keep it in Ghana alone because it’s common there, but I wanted to take it somewhere where it’s new to the people.”
David “Etse” Nyadedzor explains some traditions of West African Drumming – Credit: Patrick Scanlon
At eight years old, Nyadedzor started learned drumming from his great-grandfather. He believes drumming is the perfect outlet for the stresses of everyday life.
“No matter what I’m going through during the day or during the week, when I get the opportunity to play, perform, or even do a class, get a few people around with drums, it just clears everything away,” said Nyadedzor. “It’s a stress relief to me.”
The Community Folk Art Center in Syracuse is a beacon of artistry, cultural expression, and creativity for the Syracuse community, the region, and the world. As part of African American studies at Syracuse University, it serves as the venue where Nyadedzor hosts his beginner West African drumming class on Thursdays.
Terri Jennings and Peggy Cohee have been drumming with Nyadedzor for years. During the pandemic, they learned of new ways to express themselves through music, while learning about a new culture in his classes.
“With his stories, he really brings it to reality,” said Jennings. “I think he weaves in a lot of culture with the drumming. You have a deeper understanding, not just hitting the drum.”
David “Etse” Nyadedzor Drum Case with the Ghana flag – Credit: Patrick Scanlon
They love how Nyadedzor immerses them in West African culture. He even takes a group to Ghana every year.
“Even when we’ve been exposed to the rhythms many times, it’s just fun to play them with other people,” said Cohee.
Peggy Cohee (left) drums with West African Drum Class – Credit: Patrick Scanlon
“It brings people together from different backgrounds, and it just gives you some sort of therapy,” said Nyadedzor.