Jerry Jenkins, a West African storyteller, taught inclusion and general ed. students, K-5, the art of storytelling through music, dance, art and drama.

December 2-6, 2024 - Jerry Jenkins is a West African storyteller who flawlessly integrates academics and the arts. During Mr. Jenkins residency, he taught inclusion and general ed. students, K-5, the art of storytelling through music, dance, art and drama. Students played djembes as they sang "Funga Alafia", meaning welcome and blessings in Yoruba, capturing a true sense of community.  Mr. Jenkins ended by giving students the experience of performance through the creation of their own stories, pulsed by the beats of the djembe.

Learn more about Mr. Jenkins here!

https://mississippifolklife.org/exhibits/jerry-jenkins-on-the-djembe-an-instrument-for-education-and-uplift

Jerry Jenkins on the Djembe, an Instrument for Education and Uplift Jerry views the djembe as an essential development in West African music, explaining how, specifically for the Wolof and Malinke people of Mali, Senegal, Gambia, and Côte d'Ivoire, leaders and griots 2 would often tell stories to the rhythm of the drum. “They would remember their stories based upon the rhythm,” he acknowledges.