A group that educates about African tradition is celebrating a decade of serving Omaha.
It's a Monday afternoon, and about twenty people sit in a semi circle in an open room. One by one, their hands beat a drum. Each one more ornate and interesting than the next.
From the beginning of a performance from the African Culture Connection, you're taken to the rhythm of another place.
"This is basically the old tradition. When I saw old tradition, these are the aspects of life that African ancestors, African people used to have before colonization," Charles Ahovissi said.
Ahovissi, the group's founder is a professional dancer, drummer, performer, choreographer, stage costume designer and tailor from Benin, West Africa.
He started the non profit to share his history with students after he moved to Omaha. What started as a one man show, now consists of nearly two dozen dancers and drummers. Artists who have come together, not all with a same past ancestry, but spreading a shared passion.
"The ability to share such beauty with the world is very rewarding to us," member Starlette Dossu said.
Marching at the beat of their drum, educating others and the community along the way.
On July 8 and 9 at the Omaha Community Playhouse, the group will celebrate their 10th anniversary with public shows for the whole family.
