Unforgettable rhythms: My time with the Joythm African Drumming Club at ZJU

Half a year ago, when I enrolled in Joythm's specialized African drumming course, I had no idea I was stepping into a family so warm, loving, and supportive that I would now find it impossible to leave.

It's fair to say that most people know little about African drumming. The traditional Mande music at the core of our repertoire has surprisingly complex demands for performers, instruments, and arrangement. A single piece requires three different accompaniment rhythms—dundunba, sangba, and kenkeni—plus djembe soloists, flute players, balafon players, and dancers. The drums themselves are large and difficult to manage and preserve. Moreover, Mande musical structure is unlike classical or modern compositions, relying instead on a constant cycle of basic rhythm, "calls," "breaks," and "solos," which makes effective group performance quite challenging.

That complexity is exactly why I was so surprised and intrigued to find such a dynamic club right here at Zhejiang University.

Over the eight-session course, I learned my first piece: Djole. This is a classic, powerful rhythm used for a mask dance, and playing it on the djembe felt like channeling the rhythmic, relentless push of the Qiantang River tide. I quickly fell in love with the art form. Playing requires intense concentration—one missed beat can throw off the entire ensemble. Yet the collective smiles that broke out across everyone's faces at the end of a performance were proof of the joy and connection we shared through the music.

That shared rhythm quickly deepened the friendships within Joythm. Soon after, I was given more opportunities to learn and perform. To this day, I can proudly perform Yakadi & Macru, Yamama, and Sorsornet. These pieces carry themes as rich and diverse as the music itself, ranging from coming-of-age celebrations to social gatherings and blessings. Despite their different grooves, they all share a core quality: a transcendent happiness found in the music that crosses every cultural boundary.