PORTLAND — On Thursday, Oct. 18, The Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi will fill  Merrill Auditorium with thunderous drumming and graceful yet athletic  dancing.

Burundi is one of the smallest countries in Central Africa where the ritual of drumming comes from an ancient royal heritage, with techniques passed down from father to son.

Their performances were traditionally part of ceremonies that announced the change of seasons and the births of kings.

The Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi combine thunderous drumbeats and dance, captivating audiences with their precision, power and vibrancy.

They use sacred homemade drums that include the central “inkiranya” drum, “amashako” and “isbishikiso” drums and the popular “ingoma” drum made by hollowing out tree trunks that grow only in central Burundi.

Bringing their timeless, ancient and compelling beats to Western audiences, The Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi have gained legendary status, appearing on Joni Mitchell’s “The Hissing of Summer Lawns” album in 1975 and inspiring the first WOMAD Festival in 1982 that sparked the World Music boom.

The performance, presented by Portland Ovations, will be at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $40, with a limited number of student tickets available at $10. For tickets, call PortTIX at 842-0800, visit the box office window at Merrill Auditorium or log on to www.portlandovations.org.

Copy the Story Link