BBC Africa Profiles Talking Drum Player, Àrá Thunder

Since her rhythmic display and presentation of the drum to French President, Emmanuel Macron, during his last visit to Nigeria, Talking Drum player, Àrá Thunder has gained somewhat of an international star status as that day marked the beginning of a burgeoning career.

Àrá(which means Thunder in Yoruba), though may be from the eastern part of Nigeria, Imo State to be precise, is however one of the most notable talents of Atunda Entertainment which nurtured Nigeria’s first ever female Talking Drummer, Ara (WONDER), to stardom.

The entertainer who is one of the few women to exhibit artistic finesse while playing the Talking Drum, an instrument which is traditionally played by men and has long been used to transmit messages between villages in West Africa, sits down with BBC Africa as she talks about performing for France President Emmanuel Macron, preserving the African culture and more.

Watch Àrá Thunder let us know ‘what a man can do, a woman can do better’: