Ras Richie radiates joy as he brings the heartbeat of the funde drum to life, dressed in a vibrant custom dashiki by Antigua’s own Demarley Davis.
Antigua’s Independence Day is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a day that invites every Antiguan to celebrate their heritage, history, and journey towards true independence. This year, the students and faculty at Liberta Seventh Day Adventist School commemorated the occasion with a vibrant Culture Day celebration. The scene was vivid: children in flag shirts, modern cuts of the iconic madras plaid, and local foods that taste like home. Yet, the heartbeat of the event, a piece of African legacy, was brought to life by none other than Ras Richie, co-founder of Humble and Free Wadadli.
Liberta Seventh Day Adventist School scholars engage with the rhythms of Rastafari, exploring their cultural heritage through the joyful art of drumming.
As Ras Richie took the “stage” on the school courtyard’s humble concrete wall, his dashiki made a powerful visual statement, its bold organic shapes and colors contrasting the geometric lines of Antigua’s iconic madras. His attire, crafted by Demarley Davis, echoed the national colors while paying homage to the island's cultural heritage—a nod to the vibrant madras pattern, steeped in history thanks to artist Heather Doram. In 1992, Doram designed the madras to represent Antigua’s national dress, inspired by the attire worn by market vendors and bakers in the early 1800s. The design, which formally became part of the national identity in 1994, celebrates both Antigua's resilience and its deep-rooted pride, making it a cornerstone of the island's independence celebrations and a symbol of strength and unity.
Celebrating Antiguan style with cultural icons: Heather Doram, the visionary behind the traditional madras, alongside Celene Senhouse of Champs Fleurs, and multi-hyphenated entrepreneur Renee Edwards, all showcasing the beauty of our favorite Antiguan madras looks for this year's Antigua Independence Day.
With two ancient funde drums in hand—one over 30 years old—Ras Richie invited the young crowd to gather around. The children gazed at the drums with awe, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wonder. To them, thirty years felt like a relic of the past, an artifact that seemed as ancient as the African heritage the drum symbolizes. Ras Richie began playing the steady, resonant “heartbeat” pattern of Nyahbinghi, a beat with a message:
“Do good, do good, do good.”
Between rhythmic pulses, Ras Richie shared the story of Nyahbinghi drumming and its role in Rastafari culture, connecting them to Africa's heartbeat and Antiguan freedom. As he chanted “Black Liberation Day, Black Liberation Day, oh what a great day that must be when Africa is free,” he encouraged the children to contemplate the meaning of true liberation, especially in a post-colonial context. Are we truly free? This subtle yet powerful question pulsed alongside the drum, leaving a lasting impression on young minds.
Ras Richie teaches the students about the drums and their African heritage, sharing stories that connect them to their roots.
The kids clapped along, some mimicking the drumbeat, faster and slower, until Ras Richie invited them to try for themselves. The girls, especially, were drawn to the drum—a noteworthy shift as Rastafari drum culture has traditionally been male-dominated. Ras Richie taught them about how the drums are hand crafted, with skins from goats, cows, and sheep stretched by wooden spicks in traditional models and metal for the modern models. His words highlighted the importance of connection to land, culture, and community, values Humble and Free Wadadli embodies.
As they played, the energy was undeniable, each beat amplifying pride and connection. Ras Richie’s final words lingered: “As Antiguans, our journey is Africa’s journey—her liberation is ours, her freedom our hope. Oh what a great day that must be when Africa is free.” As Ras Richie gathered his things, preparing to leave, the children clung to him and the drums, their eyes wide with the hope that he might stay just a little longer. They took turns tapping out rhythms, filling the air with their laughter and excitement, reluctant to let go of the connection they'd formed with him. The heartbeat rhythm had resonated with them, leaving its impression in their memory.
As Ras Richie prepares to leave, the scholars surround him, reluctant to part ways after an unforgettable lesson in rhythm and heritage.
As he tried to step away, they crowded around, pleading for his return. “Will you come back?” they asked, eyes filled with genuine curiosity and eagerness. Richie, moved by their enthusiasm, gave a chuckle and a nod, promising to return. The kids' claps and drumbeats slowly faded as he left, each beat and smile echoing a newfound appreciation for their heritage—a lesson that, for them, had been more powerful than any classroom lecture.
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