Baba Olatunji plays Fanga

Baba Olatunji and the dancers and drummers from our class perform Fanga at Omega Institute in August of 1993.

[@truthbetold6543]

Since 1961 I knew about OLATNJI Keeps me powerful, strong &!joyful… Praise HIM ❤❤❤

[@caliah423]

my grandma danced with Baba and when i showed her this she pointed to herself and did the dance while in her hospital bed it made me cry knowing she is always still.

[@deetree33]

That's wonderful to hear! Who's your grandma. Maybe I was there with her.

[@erictaylor4624]

Thanks so much for posting!! Wow, a blast from the past. Being there was one of my most memorable birthdays!! Learning from masters like Baba Olatunji, Nana Vasconcelos, Authur Hull and Tony Vacca. just a dream.

[@edwardmarcell2494]

Big up respect and love to this djembefola grandmaster. Fanga is one of my liked rhythms. Greeting song as well. I don't have a singing voice but I still sing it because for me it's welcoming the ancestors inhabit me and surround me. Without my ancestors I would not have ever become a djembefola drummer. I miss brother elder very much he was an encyclopedia of historic drumming knowledge and wisdom.

[@BmakinFilm]

I saw Baba playing drums on tv when I was 2 years old (Sesame Street!) - I turned over my toy box and started to imitate him. Changed my life! Thanks Baba;-)

[@Squirrelconga]

....I don't think I ever saw that episode!!! 🤯 Saw Tito Puente...saw Ray Barretto... I'm outta here! Thanks!!!

[@edwardmarcell2494]

Wow I remember that. That was way back in the days I forget exactly what year that was but I think I was real little or possibly not even born yet depending on the date and year. Do you remember what year that was?

[@edwardmarcell2494]

@@Squirrelconga I definitely remember the episode with Tito Puentes. That was back in the days right there. He was mashing them timbales up.

[@Squirrelconga]

@@edwardmarcell2494 talking to Oscar the Grouch! Lol

[@edwardmarcell2494]

@@Squirrelconga I remember that now you brought back a wonderful memory. I'm a djembefola drummer and I love watching African drumming videos that's partially how I learn watching videos and going to the drum circle we have every Sunday at Balboa Park here in San Diego California.

[@truegangsteroflove]

I was in this video, at the beginning, walking around aimlessly. This was one of the highlights of the summer when I worked there. I got to know Olatunji, giving him rides in my golf cart. He had great stories, was a real character, very gracious. I now have two African drums, but rarely play them. Maybe tomorrow when our governor here in Wisconsin is recalled. Here's another great video to watch, from last Friday: kzbin.info/www/bejne/il7Xq6CcqaeNsLs

[@vancouverterry9142]

We had Baba's first album in my family home when I was a kid in 1959. Many years later, in 1992, when I met him and learned to dance fanga I told him that, and that I still had it, he hugged me in heartfelt gratitude to hear that. I felt lucky and honored to meet him, the great Nigerian elder spokesman for West African culture. Thank you, Baba -- your print will stay upon us forever!

[@AfiaWalkingTree]

Mi love mi Baba! I miss you and love you and uplifting your legacies baba!

[@MojisolaSonoiki]

HEYYYYYYYY Afiaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

[@dkern8]

It's Bob Bloom on the djun and bell. Such fun memories! We just had some marvelous classes with Quint and with Sanga. The fun goes on!

[@amaadud4855]

LOVE IT!

[@mimisatou1]

FANGA! Very nice:)

[@dkern8]

The tape that I digitized it from had those gaps. We felt lucky that we had a record of our wonderful time there with Baba at all : )

[@zoraidahegarsiervadelsenor6583]

As two

[@vancouverterry9142]

Thanks for putting this up, Man. I learned Fanga from Baba and his dancers in '91 and never got a video of a complete performance to practice the steps with. I'm glad to see someone putting a good video of the whole performance online like this. Many thanks.

[@illuminatedrose]

Oh, what great memories of class with Baba, Sanga of the Valley and Mz Alloladay. Oh, I I think I just saw Bob Bloom. What a great bunch.THank you Omega for always bringing us so many wonderful teachers to learn from. I was at a Sufi meditation class when the drummers where there and the rhythm just drew me in. I ended up being in the class and coming home with my first (of now many) drum. I still play Baba's rhythms and think of him with love.

[@stephanomarr6829]

baba ,set the Supreme standard FORE ALL drummers, MUSICAL drummers WORLDWIDE in MY generation........drums OF PASSION FABULOUS,...5,*****

[@dkern8]

I love hearing good stories about Baba O. He did so much good for so many. I sure hope you win tomorrow in WI! Working people everywhere are rooting for you. We've been trying to help from all the way down here in PA.

[@shamsuddinali7205]

MachaAllah ❤❤❤❤❤

[@desertdiva9771]

I was there in the class! Great memories!

[@deetree33]

That's so cool! Wasn't it the best?! Are you still drumming?

[@desertdiva9771]

Oh yes!!!

[@desertdiva9771]

Herb passed in 2007. My dream is to return to Omega someday. I’m in AZ. How are you?

[@garman1966]

Me as well, unless it was the year before or after. I danced in the performance but can't find myself in this video.

[@shamsuddinali7205]

❤❤❤

[@shamsuddinali7205]

Peace and blessings Baba

[@user-oo8fb2mp6q]

My kid is baba’s student!

[@momarsha42]

Wow, I'm not sure if I was there that year...or if it was the year before. Olatunji was one of the finest drummers and one of the best people I've met. I will never forget the time I had with him. Thank you so much for retrieving this memory for me.

[@deetree33]

I agree - a sweet life-changing experience. Been drumming ever since : )

[@dkern8]

We just found out this year that Quint lives near us, and we got a class going with him. How cool is that?! Like stepping right back into the fun and beautiful spirits.

[@diburrup]

Wow, thanks for posting this!! I learned the djembe on Baba's music!

[@baji115]

i use to know just how to dance this. I love the video !!

[@OLAlchemiAzazel]

Beautiful energies 🥰😍

[@sarahmorrison2859]

❤

[@wasanihouse]

Lelelelelelele!

[@shamsuddinali994]

Show out the LOVE welcome the returning ones... AhshayO

[@greenlightgoddess7359]

th e dancers

[@dkern8]

We're down in PA. We've put Baba's Ajaja and Edumare up here on KZbin, too. You know Baba isn't with us any more, right? Very sad. I'm sure Omega has all the old videos in their library.

[@illuminatedrose]

That is great Dkern. WHere are you. Here in NY there are many drumming teachers available so I continue to learn and play. I'll be teaching an art class at Omega and will look into old videos of Baba that they may have. I have seen Fanga a few times. He's still drumming and teaching, just a bit grayer these days..

[@dkern8]

@railroadmusic You can probably still get it from Omega. They have the whole library

[@springjo21]

What could be better. Vintage Babtunde with some dynamite dancing

[@CrowdPleeza]

Are there any videos of Baba Olatunji performing in Cuba or Brazil? I ask because of the Yoruba culture in those two countries.

[@deetree33]

I really don't know.

[@springjo21]

Oops, Babatunde. The fingers faster than the brain.

[@AbundanteRed]

Hip hop generation book by Jeff Chang

[@Kitora_Su]

JJ was 17 years old at that time

[@pichulover-dp1tm]

Base Tone Tone Tone Base Base Tone Tone

[@lodzmoimmiastem]

Hello! Can you re upload again this video better ripped? I see is ok, but time to time sound stops.

[@felixnorman9562]

I used to date a Colombian chick that knew how to dance "African" her ass off. It really looked beautiful.

[@diburrup]

Is that Gordy on the JunJun?

[@NJtoTX]

Never get a good look at him. Probably.

[@diburrup]

@@NJtoTX Yep, that's definitely him...

[@aurorabaucum]

whats with the gaps of ugly sound?

[@Halifaxgal4real2]

Oh Please,!! playing a DRUM, OR TRYING TO DO THE DANCE, WILL NOT SPEAK TO YOU, COPY YOU MAY, BUT THAT IS ALL YOU CAN DO, YOU DO NOT AND NEVER WILL HAVE OUR SOUL

[@gerardwhite8249]

Why so angry? Just let them enjoy it and take it as a compliment that they want to play that drum, sing that song, or dance that dance.

[@robadams8286]

I hear you speaking your truth, and I will never deny you the right to speak your truth. But I invite you to consider - who alive on earth can hear this music and not want to move? and not want to honor the truth in the music with their whole body, and their whole heart? And why do drummers drum, if not to inspire dance in all bodies and all hearts? I understand you are very passionate about your culture. No one can take that away from you, nor should they even want to. but at the same time, there is a human soul that is moved by this human experience. participation by all people can only add, not take away. (I wish you well, I wish you peace and strength.)

[@mississippidjembe5118]

Many people play the drum just to be seen and do not bother to learn the dance or the music for the dance.

[@Playthellgb42]

WHAT SILLY NONSENSE!!!! That's like saying that blacks can never master European classical music: YET WYNTON MARSALIS AND KATHLEEN BATTLES PERFORMANCE OF BAROQUE DUETS IS THE GREATEST EVER!!!! Any human being is cable of doing anything other humans can do so long as the have the talent and dedication to study!!!!! IT IS A MATTER OF CULTURE NOT RACE!!!!!!!!

[@bakhembrutalknowledge]

Playthell Benjamin IT IS A MATTER OF DEMONS MOCKING THE POSSESSED.