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The Rhythm of LifeOuagadougou, Burkina Faso
Pulse through the musical meccas of Burkina Faso and Ghana in a toe-tapping, hip-swaying African odyssey.
Rhythm and Power tours depart in December annually for a physically and mentally challenging journey designed to immerse you in the music and culture of West Africa.
Dance your way through Ghana as you study the subtle nuances of djembe, a skin-covered goblet drum, and dunan, a cylindrical drum topped with rawhide. Explore the bustling streets in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, jam with locals in Bolgatanga, in the country’s warm farming region, and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Live with a griot family (a household of storytellers and musicians), perform in traditional ceremonies and muster strength and stamina as you master folklore dances. By the end of this 40-day journey you will march to the beat of your own drum.
get there
There’s no easy way to get to that part of Africa. You’re looking at a couple of stopovers and more than a day of travel. Fly to Paris via Doha with Qatar Airways and from there fly to Burkina Faso or Ghana with Air France. The team will pick you up from the airport.
qatarairways.com
airfrance.com
A 14-day tour is around US$1600, a 28-day tour is US$2900, and for 40 days it’s US$3600. You will also need to buy your own drum, which costs US$350. Private lessons start at US$20.
Everything is planned out for you and the tour group makes everything easy. You’ll just have to deal with a long, bumpy bus ride on the longer tours.
African Drumming
africandrumming.com.au
Rhythm Power Ghana
facebook.com/RhythmPowerGhana
