Featuring: Baba Ayubu Bakari Kamau
Fearless Griot; Dynamic Drummer; Legacy-Builder
The drums still sound. Ayubu Kamau played many African drums including Congo Drums, Ashiko, Djimbe, and Shekere. A youth mentoring program exists to this day due to the dedication and commitment of Ayubu Kamau, better known as Baba Ayubu Bakari Kamau. Ayubu Kamau Kings and Queens still has a presence online and is currently led by Baba Kwasi Charles J. Harris Jr. This continued legacy brings about the healing rhythms of African arts.
Ayubu Kamau taught many people about the Diaspora of African music and dance. He ranged from African to Afro-American to Afro-Caribbean dance and songs while blending in the storytelling as a Griot.
He also participated in The Fellowship of African Studies and Religion, a non-denominational study group that pondered academic papers and speeches from history and to present-day discoveries. All voices in the discussions were honored.
Ayubu Kamau took on harder-than-usual stories such as the bombing of Tulsa, Oklahoma by American planes. This Tulsa Race Massacre is often side-stepped or ignored completely. Ayubu Kamau was adamant that this story must be shared. This story in particular gave a lasting impression on all who heard him.
While Ayubu Kamau passed back on September 20, 1995, plenty of people praise his name today. And in the heavens can be heard drumming….
If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.
You can see more details on Baba Ayubu Bakari Kamau with the Story Artists Memorial.
Here is a video (audio only, but many pictures) to enjoy his voice and words:
Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form.
I appreciate Baba Ayubu Bakari Kamau. His teachings and messages have continued on. The Heavens are full of the sound of drums and stories. I look forward to the time I can meet him and celebrate.
Baba Ayubu Bakari Kamau still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.