Here at LAH, we are always looking to promote the work that amazing organisations are doing. We has the chance to interview the wonderful and founder of Mbilla Arts Seneke Sillah about their Woodland wellbeing drumming sessions at Organiclea.
Q. How and why did MBILLA Arts begin?
Mbilla Arts was founded by Gambian musician Seneke Sillah in response to the demand in Waltham Forest and neighbouring East London boroughs for workshops and performances in African drumming and dance in school and community settings.
Q. How have the organisations benefited communities and individuals?
Since the company was established in 2006, we have worked with the education, community, government and health sectors to provide anything from one-off workshops to projects spanning several years. Participants in our activities report improvements in their physical fitness through drumming and dance activities, increased confidence and self-esteem and better mental health through group participation in workshops and performances and development of creative skills including rhythm and co-ordination. Benefits to the wider community have included building friendships and fostering understanding within groups of people from a wide range of backgrounds and heightening visibility and knowledge within the community of African culture and heritage.
Q. What is your long term mission as an organisation? What do you hope to achieve?
To enable those that participate in our activities to develop skills and confidence that support their lifelong learning and improved long-term health and wellbeing outcomes and increase people’s knowledge of African culture and heritage to improve understanding and tolerance between people of different backgrounds within society.
Q. What do you hope to see in the future for your organisation?
Like many performing arts organisations, Mbilla Arts has struggled to survive during repeated COVID lockdowns as our art forms are fundamentally about bringing our communities together in celebration of African culture and heritage. This has been difficult to translate into an online format. However, our communities need uplifting cultural activities that bring them together in the aftermath of so much social isolation. Our hope, therefore, is that, we can recover from the pandemic and continue to benefit individuals and the wider community in the longer term.
Q. Why do you think the activities you provide are so important towards peoples health and wellbeing?
In addition to the obvious health benefits of drumming and dance to support physical fitness and wellbeing, our drum circles address the need to combat social isolation improve mental health by bringing people together and connecting through music. Group drumming has been proven effective in enhancing well-being and social resilience, as well as the alleviation of depression and anxiety (D Fancourt 2016).
Feedback from our current green social prescribing project includes:
“Brilliant, energising – wonderful teaching, outdoor a bonus.”
“It’s very uplifting and really helps with my mental health.”
Q. What do you hope to see in the future of health and wellbeing and drumming?
We are buoyed by the fact that the health sector now sees the benefits of arts and culture in contributing to better health and wellbeing outcomes for people. This Thriving Communities project is our first step in establishing group African drumming on the ladder of social prescribing in North and East London and raising the profile of the art form’s health benefits.
Q. Do you have any favourite memories of running any particular event or workshop?
There are so many it is difficult to choose one! A favourite memory is the Paralympic Handover Ceremony in Walthamstow Town Square in 2008 where we performed with 247 Day Opportunities Centre for Adults with Learning Disabilities (our troupe was called 247 Afrika!). One audience member commented that they could feel the joy emanating from the stage when they watched us perform (photo attached).
Q. What kind of importance do you think your organisation brings to awareness of your own culture? Have you seen people approach you out of interest and ask you more questions regarding the history and culture behind the workshop you create?
Our work is important in raising awareness of West African culture to those who are not familiar with it, and also to bring a sense of pride to people of African heritage in our communities. Our workshops and performances inspire curiosity and questions from children and adults alike. Seneke incorporates teaching about the history of the drum and associated dances and his life growing up in Gambia in his sessions and passers by often stop him to ask him questions about his culture and heritage when they see him with his drum.
Info & Booking for forthcoming Wellbeing Drum Circles which are part of the Arts Council England Thriving Communities Project in partnership with Organiclea:
Saturday Drum Circles May-June at Gnome House in Walthamstow:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walthamstow-wellbeing-drum-circle-tickets-309389601627
