About Us
"Ongoma" • Oshiwambo • The Drum
Over the past two short years that Ongoma has enthralled and involved audiences in Namibia, the group has grown from a percussion ensemble playing African standards to becoming a stepping stone for the many undiscovered performing artists of Namibia, including dancers, singers and actors, all looking for an outlet for their individual creative needs. Thus Ongoma - the Drum (oshiwambo) - heralds a new age of artisitc freedom in Namibia, combining old with new, traditional with modern, yet retaining our customs while discovering modern values of expression. And in time these young artists will go out and make their mark on the entertainment stages of the world.
Ongoma plays djembe drums, marimbas and other traditional African instruments, complemented by the rich African voices of their performers.
The Team
| Volker | Jomo | Desmond | Gee | Jacky |
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| James | Richard | Ponti | Noddy | Gaddafi |
History
Who would have thought that when Desmond approached Volker in 2002 with the request to please assist them with re-skinning their broken djembe, that in a relatively short time it would grow into a popular form of performance and music.
By paying off their first 30 workshop drums, Volker, Desmond and Ponti set off spreading their message of beats, rhythm and tempo. Soon they were joined by the others and with the ever increasing demand started performing for numerous functions and receptions around the country, all the time extending their repertoire of African traditional and contemporary songs while also starting to work on their own melodies.
By now Ongoma has established itself in the musical landscape of Namibia with its unique African traditional sound fused with a modern approach to the African lifestyle. Complemented by the throaty quality of the marimbas yet retaining their original philosophy of djembe percussion, Ongoma has carved itself an unparalleled niche in the entertainment environment of Namibia.
Philosophy
The drum can probably be considered to be the oldest instrument in the world. It is primeval, organic and the most important building block in melodies and songs. It constructs the tempo, rhythm and reference frame for musical performance, simply also just called the beat.
Rhythm is something naturally akin to our specie: we are dictated to by the rhythm inherit in the natural environment, our heart beat and breath or simply just listing to the heave and crash of the ocean on the beach.
Africa is synonymous with drumming, something that used to drive the fear of God into early missionaries and colonists.
In the modern world today therapists around the world have recognized the healing qualities of drumming. This has lead towards the increasing use of this easy yet solid from of music in corporate workshops, drumming circles and just plain listening pleasure.