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A cross-cultural music project bringing together traditional Irish and West African drummers in a shared interpretation of poetry by Lurgan-born artist and writer George William Russell is set to premiere next month.
The project unites bodhrán players from the Traditional Arts Partnership (TAP), based in South Armagh with Senegalese drumming ensemble Keur Gu Rutmo from Dakar. Together they have produced a cross-cultural video performance blending Irish and African rhythmic traditions through Russell's poem Carrowmore.
TAP musicians have created a musical interpretation of the English version of Carrowmore, recorded by Patrick O'Donnell, Chair of the AE Russell Society. Keur Gu Rutmo developed their own interpretation using a French translation of the poem by Laura Ostertag, incorporating traditional Senegalese percussion and ceremonial dress associated with the Baye Fall spiritual tradition.
Reflecting on why the collaboration was a fitting tribute to Russell's legacy O'Donnell said "Producing an Afro-Irish drumming interpretation of AE Russell's poem is entirely in keeping with Russell's philosophy. It fuses diverse spiritual and cultural rhythms into a shared imaginative unity, reflecting his belief in universal interconnectedness beyond national or material boundaries."
Abdou Sene of Keur Gu Rutmo highlighted the cultural significance of the Niakhas Baye Fall attire worn during the performance, which symbolises spiritual devotion, artistic identity, and ancestral continuity. He also expressed a desire to bring the project to a wider global audience, noting his lifelong passion for promoting his culture.
TAP musician and AE Russell Festival co-director Fergal O'Brien said the collaboration had revealed connections that stretch far beyond geography. "Interpreting Carrowmore through both Irish and Senegalese cultural lenses reveals a shared joy in ancestral memory and rhythmic tradition. This collaboration celebrates not only our local heritage but also the powerful cultural kinship that exists across continents."
The finished video, filmed and produced with the support of videographer Ruairí O'Cathail, will premiere on 11 April at 7.30pm at Aonach Mhacha in Armagh as part of the AE Russell Festival. The project reflects the wider reach of Russell's influence, which extends as far as Minnesota, where his legacy continues to inspire audiences.
