Francis Awe
Encyclopedia
Francis Awe is an omoba of the Yoruba
tribe of Nigeria. He is said to be the master of the Nigerian talking drum.
His grandmother was the one who discovered his talent when he was only two months old. Every time there would be drums being played he would cry. So one day his grandmother decided to take him to a place where there were drums being played. Francis would stop crying as soon as he heard the drums. The grandmother did this on three different occasions and finally she introduced him to the village drummers and they took him under their wing. In 1981 Francis earned a degree in Dramatic Arts at The University of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. After graduating he got a job as a drummer and Chief Cultural Assistant at The University of Lagos
, Centre for Cultural Studies. Soon after decided he wanted to come to America and go to school at The California Institute of the Arts
. There he received a bachelors degree in World Arts and Cultures.
In 1985 Francis Awe formed The Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble with his wife, Omowale, who is the lead dancer. The Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble is a group that performs with the hopes to educate the people about the Nigeria
n culture through music and dance. The group has traveled to places throughout the United States and also to Mexico, Italy, Germany, and India. With the Ensemble, Francis goes to universities and schools, and also teaches at workshops. He has composed for movies, television, and on stage. He is currently a recording artist for Bindu Records and is releasing an album with his drumming titled, Oro Ijinle. Awe has said that his mission is to, “Not only make the Dundun a universal instrument, but also to transmit the family aspect of African life to all the people of the universe.” (www.bindurecords.com)
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
tribe of Nigeria. He is said to be the master of the Nigerian talking drum.
His grandmother was the one who discovered his talent when he was only two months old. Every time there would be drums being played he would cry. So one day his grandmother decided to take him to a place where there were drums being played. Francis would stop crying as soon as he heard the drums. The grandmother did this on three different occasions and finally she introduced him to the village drummers and they took him under their wing. In 1981 Francis earned a degree in Dramatic Arts at The University of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. After graduating he got a job as a drummer and Chief Cultural Assistant at The University of Lagos
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
, Centre for Cultural Studies. Soon after decided he wanted to come to America and go to school at The California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
. There he received a bachelors degree in World Arts and Cultures.
In 1985 Francis Awe formed The Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble with his wife, Omowale, who is the lead dancer. The Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble is a group that performs with the hopes to educate the people about the Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n culture through music and dance. The group has traveled to places throughout the United States and also to Mexico, Italy, Germany, and India. With the Ensemble, Francis goes to universities and schools, and also teaches at workshops. He has composed for movies, television, and on stage. He is currently a recording artist for Bindu Records and is releasing an album with his drumming titled, Oro Ijinle. Awe has said that his mission is to, “Not only make the Dundun a universal instrument, but also to transmit the family aspect of African life to all the people of the universe.” (www.bindurecords.com)