Welcome to Burundi Drummers!

The Burundi Drummers of Atlanta group is composed by members of the Association of Burundians and Friends of Burundi of Atlanta (ABABA). Most of drummers are refugees who fled the country, Burundi following the interethnic war between Hutus and Tutsis that burst in 1993. Our main activity is to showcase Burundian culture to other nationalities while building and strengthening the identity of Burundian youths who may be otherwise disconnected from their culture. Although the group’s name includes Atlanta, membership and performances are not restricted to the Atlanta area. Our goal is to educate as many people in as many regions as possible.

Burundi Drummers of Atlanta is a special group by its composition. The drumming group is not only composed by men as it was in Burundi tradition. It includes ladies who can drum, dance and this makes the group very unique. The group is also formed by the three ethnic groups that compose the Burundi community, Hutu, Tutsi and Twa (pygmy). It’s amazing to see people from ethnic group in conflict back home sharing joys and working as a team in beating the drums.

Africa is the continent of drums, but the drums of Burundi require extraordinary vigor, dexterity, agility and grace. Burundi drums sound like rolling thunderclaps. You don’t listen to them with your ears; you listen with your heart.