Taiko drumbeat hits town

At this special performance the group was launched by Japanese Ambassador to Ryoichi Matsuyama who played a leading role in bringing the Taiko performers to Botswana. In his welcoming remarks Ambassador Matsuyama said the group was here as part of a cultural exchange following on Botswana cultural groups' successful visit to Japan.

Taiko is a performance based on drum, in fact the team play a variety of drums at varying times. The drums produce different pitches blending into a harmony of sounds. The performers in a well-done choreography could start with a slow beat until reaching a maddening crescendo often resulting in the drummer reaching a trance like state. Listening to the Taiko is a combination of attending a well-done session of an Independent church, a scout drill session and watching a meticulous drummer all rolled into one.