# data[].attributes.body
Gwoka is a traditional form of music that is deeply rooted in the history of Guadeloupe. It originated during the colonial period among the African slaves. Gwoka combines drum rhythms and singing to create an expression of resistance, identity and community. The music is mainly played with large hand drums, the "Ka" drums, which produce different rhythms. Gwoka was recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site in 2014. It was fun to drum together with the kids from Guadeloupe.

# data[].attributes.body
Gwo ka. Drums made by wood and goat skin. Firstly I was afraid to tap hardly, but when I saw Edgar, our teacher, how he was playing I also encouraged myself.

The easiest way to play the drums was just to close my eyes and feel the rhythm.

At the end of the course came the children and it was unbelievable how each of them picked the instrument and we all created an orchestra.

The children didn't have notes, they were just following the rhythm.... Unbelievable. ❤️

# data[].attributes.body
We were at the cultural center today. There, I learned how to play the traditional drums and how to use the ear to recognize the rhythm. The group was surprised by many children and learned how to successfully communicate even with language barriers.

# data[].attributes.body
Today, Edgar tried to train my lack of musicality with drums. Traditional music is primarily about surrendering to your own rhythm and diving into a world of emotions and longings.

Even though I am a hopeless case when it comes to music, I have still recognized my strengths. These lie in my openness and presence. When the kindergarten and school children arrived, I was able to connect with them right away. They quickly realized they were welcome with me and immediately joined me.

Many also responded to Edgar's question by expressing how happy they were that I was there today.

What an experience!

# data[].attributes.body
Today was the best day for me. Throughout the day, I kept thinking how far we are from nature and from our bodies. Everything happens in the mind, but we are not just the mind.

"Feel the rhythm. Feel the heartbeat."

I was impressed by Edgard the music teacher. He is with charisma, energy and authority. His fokus on rhythm was fascinating. What do I hear inside me? Sometimes joy, sometimes sadness, sometimes chaos, sometimes tiredness, sometimes anticipation... The world is colourful and we humans are full of emotions. To feel, to express, to accept... Thank you, dear Rita for a wonderful experience.

# data[].attributes.body
What does music do? We know, through received folk wisdom, that it soothes the savage beast. We know that it makes an effective educational tool. We know it does a good many things we cannot quite put our finger on. Our today's muscial experience was about music as an expression of resistence, resilience and adaptation. An expression of life by people whose lives had been torn away and torn apart – Gwo Ka. The experience fits in seamlessly with yesterday's visit to the Museum of Slavery in Point-à-Pitre, whose exhibits include Guadaloupean slaves' drums. They are now played, in a much better, though imperfect world, probably close to what their original players dreamed of.

# data[].attributes.body
Today, I learned a lot about Gwo Ka, the traditional music of Guadeloupe. It has different rhythms, each with its own meaning: toumbele for celebration and joy, kaladja for struggle and suffering, graj for work and effort, would for travel and movement, padjanbel for strength and power, and mende for spirituality and connection.

Music is passed down in families, as there are no official music schools in Guadeloupe. It's not possible not to have a rhythm in life.