 | | Baka Gbine are seven musicians & dancers |
Baka Beyond formed 14 years ago when Martin Cradick and Su Hart visited the Baka tribal people of the Cameroon forests after seeing a TV documentary. They were so inspired by the "magical rhythms" and melodies of the Baka people that they recorded an album called 'Spirit of the Forest' under the name Baka Beyond. "It was the amazing bird-like singing or 'yelli' that first attracted me," said Su. "The women get together before dawn to sing, enchant the animals of the forest an ensure that the men's hunting will be successful. "Song and dance are used by the Baka for healing, rituals, keeping the community together and for pure fun. We try to do the same in Baka Beyond." Since then the band has evolved into a multicultural, dynamic live stage show with more than 250,000 album sales. They've played at WOMAD, on the Jazz Stage at Glastonbury and around the world at music festivals from the USA to Germany. During all of this Su and Martin have made many visits back to Cameroon sending money to help build a hospital and keeping in close contact with the Baka people. "We feel very much part of the family," said Martin. "Since we keep returning they have seen positive changes to their lives as a result of the money they have earned with their own music. A great sense of trust has built up and they are very keen for us to spread their music and rhythms as far as possible." Baka Gbine (pronounced Beenay) - a group of seven Baka musicians and dancers - was formed as a result of this ongoing relationship. Using light, sound, song and dance they aim to transport you to the heart of the forest. They also hope to use the tour to give the Baka people a wider voice internationally and the confidence to stand up for their own rights at home. The Baka have been pushed out of the forest to make way for international logging companies threatening their culture's survival. In a recent BBC World Service interview Mbeh, one of the Baka guitarists, said: "We are born and grew up in the forest; we do everything in the forest, gathering hunting and fishing. "Now where do they want us to make our lives? We are prevented from using the forest. Where are we supposed to live our lives?" Catch Baka Gbine on tour around the UK - 30:04:06 Westonbirt Arboretum
- 01:05:06 Dorchester Festival, Dorchester
- 04:05:06 Royal Geographical Society, London
- 05:05:06 Westbury Hall, Forest of Dean
- 07:05:06 The Sage Gatesheadk, Hall 2 Gateshead
- 10:05:06 The Brewhouse, Coal Orchard, Taunton
- 11:05:06 St David's Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff
- 12:05:06 Royal International Pavillion, Llangollan, Denbeighshire
- 13:05:06 Kingswood Theatre, Lansdown Road, Bath
- 16:05:06 The Zodiac, 190 Crawley Road, Oxford
- 17:05:06 Hall for Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro
- 18:05:06 Bush Hall, 310 Uxbridge Road, London
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