This course serves as an introduction to learning rhythms, chants and songs from Africa, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, and the African Diaspora. Using percussion instruments such as, congas, surdos, pandeiro, djembe, dununba, doumbek and chekere; students will experience basic hand and stick techniques while learning to recognize drumming patterns associated with these traditional rhythms. Rhythms such as, Lamban, KuKu, Zaouli, Samba, Batucada, Yanvalu, Banda, Rhumba, and Guaguanco will be explored. The lab portion of the class examines these rhythms by discussing the language, dance, current events, mystic and religious beliefs of the people associated with these rhythms.