We had a Kwo Ka session in a private institution directly in a village next to Sainte-Anne. I can‘t say that I learned to play the drums in the wright way but I realized that our host had an excellent sense of rhythm by playing the drums and he is an excellent teacher explaining the instruments and their history. 

I got the impression that music is a way to forget for some time the daily life as it needs a lot of concentration. In the history the music had a social function and was given to the next generation. There is a special sense and history behind the instrument. These skills are the memory to the past and that’s the reason why music had just an emotional impact for everyone, showing that the person is part of bigger society. So the music is not only one important aspect of the culture in Guadeloupe but it is also a view into the past and an important aspect of the culture. 

What I have learnt today:

Today I have learnt about various, highly interesting aspects of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage:

First of all, I have learnt very many things about how to play the drum, how to teach other people play the drum and what the historical and cultural background of playing the drum is.

Secondly, I have learnt something about myself, i.e. that there is no need to worry too much about whether one could possibly fail in trying out something new, i.e. play the drum, or not because I did manage to play the drum, even though, at times, I found it rather hard to put our teacher’s instructions into action.

Thirdly, I have learnt what a single family can achieve when they are really devoted to something, i.e. disseminating the seeds of the  culture of Gouadeloupe and bringing its various aspects closer to small children in particular.

Fourthly, I have learnt how great it is to have a copy of the book signed by the author who has written a children’s book on how Gouadeloupe developed.