Drum echoes

Charles C. Labenz Arizona Daily Wildcat From left, Benny Dent 13, UA employee Ski Smith, and Leon Kittrel 13, of the Booth/Fickett Traditional African drum group perform drum music to begin the Sounding of the Drum Ceremony held yesterday in front of the African American Student Resource Center. The ninth international Sounding of the Drum Ceremony celebrates the beginning of African American History Month as well as the equality of all ethnic groups.

Thirty-eight teachers, students and others interested in improving race relations spoke to about 60 listeners at the University of Arizona's African American Resource Center about the importance of growth and race unification. Each speaker beat a drum to symbolize a time of change.

"A drum beats for change. It symbolizes the empowerment of those around us," said Cecilia Lou, assistant dean for the Asian Pacific American Cultural Resource Center.

A drum is used to mark the onset of African American History Month because many cultures believe "the drum is a sacred instrument used for a pulsation of divine power," said Julian Kunnie, acting director of African American Studies and lead sounder in the ceremony.

"The drum is like a heartbeat," said Bruce Meyers, assistant dean for Native American Student Affairs. "It gives us a sense of rhythm and harmony."

The ninth-annual international ceremony beginning African American History Month included Young Thunder Nation, a group of Native American drummers, and UA professors, students and African exchange students.

During the ceremony, a sounder gave a speech, beat the drum, then turned to the next sounder and asked, "Why do you sound the drum?" Many speakers talked about the struggle for racial and gender equality.

"It is only through forgiveness that we can move forward," said Assistant Dean of Students Veda Hunn.

Bob Diaz, assistant dean of staff development for the UA's Main Library, said he comes to the ceremony every year.

"It's these kinds of events that build unity," Diaz said. "It's great to see a diverse group at UA."

Maritza Panousopoulos, a fine arts freshman, said she attended the ceremony for the music.

"I love the sound of drums," Panousopoulos said. "It's medicine for my soul."

The UA Africana Studies Program will host a variety of events throughout African American History Month.

A brown-bag panel will speak Feb. 17 at noon about "Amistad: Past, Present and Future" in the Martin Luther King Building.

Africana Studies will feature a film each Tuesday this month, and Gladys Branic will lecture Feb. 23 in the Memorial Student Union Senior Ballroom about "Health Issues in the African American Community Today."