Sacred Drums of Liberation : Religions and Music of Resistance in Africa and the Diaspora By Ohadike, Don C.

Sacred Drums of Liberation chronicles the struggle for peoples of African descent to overcome slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonial hegemony. Tracing resistance movements from the colonial period into the 20th century through music and religion, the pursuit of freedom and the practice of resistance extend beyond the borders of Africa into popular culture in the United States, the Caribbean, and South Africa. Music and cultural resistance movements from Maji Maji, Mau Mau, Rumba, Samba, Capoeira, Steelband, Rasta, Reggae, Blues, Hip Hop, and Rap are all evaluated as resistance and a search for equality. Through exploring a variety of cultures, Sacred Drums of Liberation illustrates how Africans responded to racism and oppression around the world. Ohadike crosses a multitude of eras and locations but the theme of resistance to oppression through religion and music echoes drums of liberation into the present.