RESILIENCE IN RHYTHM

On 10th May, 1740, South Carolina enacted the Negro Act, which banned the use of the drum among enslaved Africans. African Stream journalist Salifu Mack explores how enslaved Africans, stripped of their right to drum, ingeniously preserved their heritage. Fast-forward to today, the legacy echoes through the halls of Kingstree High School in South Carolina. Students reclaim the drum as a symbol of pride, defiance and cultural identity. Hear from these young voices as they share what the drum means to them, weaving a narrative of resilience, heritage and the relentless pursuit of freedom.