A rhythm to remember

Jordan Leigh Haiduk / The Bulletin

Richard Pitts entertains students passing through in Union Square. Pitts drummed and told African folk tales as a part of Roots of Rhythm.

Students passing through Union Square on Thursday were treated to a performance of African traditional folk stories accompanied by drumming from a group called Roots of Rhythm.

“Everyone has a story to tell and everyone has to tell their story,” said Richard Pitts, performer from Roots of Rhythm.

This is the philosophy that has guided Pitts towards his unique career as a drummer who tells stories of the hardships experienced by his people, the West Africans.

“I grew up in a family that always told stories and is very musically inclined, so I grew up in this tradition,” Pitt said. “I have been a storyteller my whole life.”

Pitts grew up in Atlantic City, NJ, and was influenced by the hundreds of drummers that play on Atlantic City Beach, so he began playing himself. Pitt’s passion for drumming and telling stories about the African people’s struggle through the oppression of slavery led him to Roots of Rhythm.

“We go places and perform African music and stories and dances that relate to the period of slavery,” Pitts said. “All of my stories have a lesson that relates to how you behave and act around people. They tell you how to live.”

ESU is looking for new ways to bring different cultures and unique performances to campus for students to experience.

“When it comes to telling stories relating to African history, Richard brings everything alive,” said Barbara Baker, director of Multicultural Affairs. “I think it is a good way to approach multi-cultural education.”

Baker thought that Pitts’ performance was exactly what they were looking for.

During the performance, Pitts kept the audience entertained by banging out complicated beats on his drum and belting old African folk tales like how the turtle shell became cracked and why wolves and dogs are no longer friends. Pitts encouraged the audience to snap their fingers and sing along, adding to the campfire story atmosphere.

“You can tell that [Pitts] is an amazing musician,” said Luke Wolford, junior sociology major. “With the rhythms he uses and the stories he tells, you can tell that those sorts of beats and messages have influenced our culture so much.”

Pitts also told stories about the Underground Railroad and the role of music in preserving African culture through during slavery.

“Africans were told for 300 years that they had the wrong lips, the wrong hips, hair texture, skin color and the wrong noses,” Pitts said. “When you’ve got your own culture, you know better than all that.”

Pitt encouraged the audience to tell their own stories and never underestimate the prevailing influence each story can have. Shared stories saved the African culture and kindled hope during the slave trade. They also present valuable life lessons in a thrilling way and stories can always be passed on.

“Stories are powerful because they never die,” Pitt said. “Stories will always be alive.”