I am currently in Conakry airport, on my return journey back to Pune via Dakar, Dubai and Mumbai. Phew. I spent the last three weeks here with my wife Akshata Parekh and student Aditya Deshpande diving deep into the world of drum and dance here. During this trip, we also explored the incredible potential of a drum team building event, experiencing firsthand how rhythm can bring people together. I’ll be processing my travels here through this blog and delving into the concept of music as a universal language.

Over my time with the Late Grandmaster of the Djembe Mamady Keita since 2010 we travelled across the globe to many countries. Unfortunately for many reasons, Guinea was never on the list. And then COVID happened. So to pay tribute to the Master and to also initiate what will be one of many India and Guinea drum and dance exchange programs I thought it would be a good opportunity to go and start with a bang. This was a welcome change from all the employee engagement activities and corporate engagement activities team building drumming workshops I was doing of late. I needed to go deeper into my study of the djembe and Akshata into the world of West African dance. And boy, did Guinea not disappoint.

Here are video some highlights of my first two weeks in Conakry

Guinea 2026 Week 1 Highlights

Guinea 2026 Week 2 Highlights

Conakry is a city that’s developing fast (maybe too fast) and catching up with the world. The country was in the middle of re-electing president Mamadi Doumbouya and so overall security was very high. We were reminded very often to carry our original passports everywhere!! Things are very familiar like in India. There’s chaos, pollution, commotion, garbage, dust and sun. But there is also a lot of cheer, goodwill, kindness and not to forget drum and dance. If there is one place in the world to come to for djembe music and west African dance, it is Guinea. The city offers the young, fast, and effervescent flavours in its music, and the village offers the original, traditional, and more peaceful approach to the music. Experiencing it all made me realize why drumming team building can be so transformative it carries the energy, connection, and rhythm of this culture.

I really missed travelling out to a village this time but that only means we have lots of this exploration to do the next time. Mamady loved the various flavours of rhythms of the vast ethnic groups spread all over Guinea and the Mandingue.He spent his whole life documenting these rhythms and teaching many students from all over the globe. His legacy continues to inspire drum circle events, bringing people together through the power of rhythm and community.

We experienced wedding celebrations, birthdays, concerts in halls and even right in the middle of the streets. What tied all these celebrations together is the music of djembe and Dununs. Everyone dances. Everyone sings. Expression of joy and adoration is done through one’s body, claps and amazing solos on the djembe. There’s a code in the chaos and a method to what seems like the madness of this music. One has to study it to understand.And of course, having the best drum for drum circle makes all the difference in capturing the authentic energy and depth of this experience. When you do understand the music the Africans open their arms to you and include you in their lives with love, generosity and lots of food. Always lots of food!! The concept of throwing money at a dancer or drummer that you love is very common and often the only way the band gets paid for the gig. So you’ll see a lot of this. In India, we have experienced this during our wedding Punjabi dhol baraat gatherings. So interesting to see these common elements in various cultures.And of course, having the best drums for drum circle really enhances the experience, making the music more immersive and joyful.

Everything starts late in Guinea, maybe even in Africa. Yet another common thing with Indians 😉 . No wonder there’s the saying “Relax, C’est La Guinea!” 

I’m coming back with a heart full of rhythms, with a newly learned patience for all things and a lot of excitement for what awaits in India. Community drum circles, djembe workshops, corporate engagement activities, employee engagement initiatives, and of course, every drum team building event I get to be part of. Not to forget our Find Your Inner Rhythm Intensive  (Drum Circle Facilitator Course) happening end April beginning May in Pune… We’re still your one stop shop for all things to do with group drumming and when you think of drum circle India, think Taal Inc. 

Varun Venkit 
Come. Drum. Be One.
Taal Inc.