Skip to Main Content
Boston University
  • Bostonia
  • BU Today
  • The Brink
  • University Publications

    • Bostonia
    • BU Today
    • The Brink
  • School & College Publications

    • The Record
Other Publications
BU Today
  • Sections
News, Opinion, Community

Rejoicing to the Beat of the Drum

David Kaipu, a BU mechanic from Liberia, played the Liberian drum during this year’s MLK Day ceremony. 

January 12, 2007
Twitter Facebook
David Kaipu, a BU mechanic from Liberia, says in Africa, the drum is a call to attention. Photo by Kalman Zabarsky

On Monday, January 15, the beating of drums will resound through the GSU’s Metcalf Hall, convening attendees at BU’s ceremony honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. (GRS’55, Hon.’59). “In the African village the drum rhythm is a call to attention,” says David Kaipu, a University maintenance mechanic. The native of Liberia will play his Liberian drum during the 2 p.m. opening ceremony.

“The drums will call the people to attention for the program that will follow,” says Kaipu, who has played the instrument for almost 30 years. “Africa is a very big continent, and there are different drum rolls from all over Africa. Every country has a different rhythm, but no matter the rhythm, the drums bring everyone together.”

Kaipu, who does heating and ventilation work at BU, is a member of the Village Drum and Masquerade, a professional group that performs traditional Liberian music, dance, and storytelling. He wanted  to promote African dance and performance on campus, so he sent Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore a DVD of his performances up and down the East Coast. Elmore was impressed and asked him to play during the University’s MLK Day ceremony on January 15. A cultural troupe, including Kaipu and a half-dozen drummers, will perform alongside masked African dancers. “We will be playing a simple rhythm that will incorporate everyone, because we want everyone to rejoice,” he says.

Taking part in the ceremony is important to him, Kaipu says, because King stood for peace and unity during a very difficult time. “Martin Luther King, Jr., means a whole lot to me,” he says. “One of the most important things about him was that he was there for everyone; he supported everyone, not just one race. He talked about how everyone should unite and how there should be no divisions. We all should be as one people.”

Meghan Noé can be reached at mdorney@bu.edu.

 

Explore Related Topics:

  • Global
  • Holiday
  • Staff
  • Share this story

Share

Rejoicing to the Beat of the Drum

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Latest from BU Today

  • University News

    Boston University to Seek External Recommendations for Athletics Policies and Practices

  • University News

    BU’s Jack Parker Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame

  • BU Soundcheck

    BU Soundcheck: Ronona J

  • Film & TV

    COM Students Win New England Emmy Award for 2024 BUTV10 Election Coverage

  • Watch Now

    How BU’s Lawns Can Help Reduce Carbon Emissions

  • Awards

    Meet BU’s Newest Fulbright Recipients

  • Entertainment

    Where to Watch Free Movies Outdoors All Summer Long

  • University News

    BU Opens Cooling Stations as First Heat Wave of the Season Arrives

  • Photography

    Photo Essay: A Look Back at Spring on Campus

  • University News

    BU Rises in New Rankings of World Universities and Cited as a Digital Leader in Higher Education

  • Film

    Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Central Square

  • Music

    Drumroll, Please, for CFA’s Gareth Smith

  • JUNETEENTH

    Celebrating Juneteenth Around Boston

  • University News

    BU Backs Lawsuit to Halt Cuts to Department of Defense Research Funding

  • Obituaries

    Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Boston University Alum, Shot and Killed Along with Her Husband

  • EDUCATION

    The Power of the Middle School Years

  • Film & TV

    From Superman to F1, Expect a Summer of Blockbusters

  • Social Media

    YouTube Is the Latest Media Platform to Loosen Content Moderation. What Does That Mean for Users?

  • Wellness

    In Honor of Father’s Day, 5 Foods That All Men Need in Their Diet

  • University News

    Supporting Boston University’s International Community—Q&A with President Melissa Gilliam and Willis Wang, Head of Global Operations

Section navigation

  • Sections
  • Must Reads
  • Videos
  • Series
  • Close-ups
  • Archives
  • About + Contact
Get Our Email

Explore Our Publications

Bostonia

Boston University’s Alumni Magazine

BU Today

News, Opinion, Community

The Brink

Pioneering Research from Boston University

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Weibo
  • TikTok
© Boston University. All rights reserved. www.bu.edu
© 2025 Trustees of Boston UniversityPrivacy StatementAccessibility
Boston University
Notice of Non-Discrimination: Boston University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex or gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, military service, marital, parental, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in any and all educational programs or activities operated by Boston University. Retaliation is also prohibited. Please refer questions or concerns about Title IX, discrimination based on any other status protected by law or BU policy, or retaliation to Boston University’s Executive Director of Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator, at titleix@bu.edu or (617) 358-1796. Read Boston University’s full Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Search
Boston University Masterplate
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Rejoicing to the Beat of the Drum
0
share this