Listening to African drumming, I often join the drummers. More often than not, I bang the top of the dining table, which gives a wonderful low sound all its own. On occasion, I reach for one of the two drums in the livingroom. The big one belongs to my beloved and the small one is my own. Whatever I do, though, I am most welcome. I can go fast or slow. I can follow the simplest of rhythms or I can go for more complex ones. And this holds for anyone who hears African drumming. Everyone is welcome. A bottle and a spoon are perfect instruments. And so are a pot and its lid. If no other instrument is available, clapping will do. Chanting or hooting along is perfectly fine, as well. But everyone is invited to join in without a moment’s thought. For there is no-one who cannot contribute to the cheer. As far as musical principles go, this one strikes me as the most fabulous. And the most ancient of them all. Music is not for musicians, after all. It is for everyone. The whole tribe, that is. At their best, musicians can lead the tribe, but not from afar.