Gambian Update
Many of you will know that Mohammed and his family returned to Guinea last year. He produced some stunning quality Fair Trade musical instruments, particularly Djembe Drums. We called at his compound in the Gambia but his house was locked. His friends mentioned that he would be returning 'soon'! The other good news is that from our contacts in the UK, we met Bouba. We are very fortunate then to have another excellent drum and percussion instrument maker. Bouba (short for Boubacar) is also from Guinea but presently based in the Gambia. We visited his factory and Trish commissioned a special Lienge wood drum as a prototype. Watch this blog for further info concerning these drums. Bouba then for the forseeable future will supply us with all our Djembe Drums, skins, and percussion instruments.
David & Bouba in Kotu with prototype drum
Natural Flow Direct's Gambian Compound
Trish and David have been visiting the Gambia for many years. They have friends there and find it a place for 'charging up their batteries' after the yearly cycle of managing their Fair Trade Musical Instruments and Clothing business. When they arrived in January of 2007, an opportunity arrose to purchase a compound in Brufut. Brufut is a particularly beautiful area close to a wonderful beach and near one of the Gambia's main artuary roads. The land will be looked after by the long term friends Musa and Hassan. They will finish blocking a perimeter fence and in the rainy season grow food crops such as Cassava (high protein vegetable).
Brufut compound with Moses in background
Brufut compound, thanks to google and
wikimapia
As usual we met many musicians and saw some great live troupes. Of special note were two bands, the first being Batafon Arts, and secondly Roots Manding, a local Bakau troupe. They played at the famous Lama-Lama venue in Bakau to a mainly local audience. Driving lead Djembe backed up by two Conga sets and Djun-Djuns! Vocals were from our friend P N'dow. Skillful dancers up front to engage with the audience.
Roots Manding, Lama-Lama Bar, Bakau, 6th Jan, 2007
