Experience Guadeloupe’s deep-rooted African culture by signing up for a gwo-ka dance class. Gwo-ka (“big drum”) is part drumming, part call-and-response chanting, and part dancing and is an important part of Guadeloupe’s musical expression. Seven different rhythms on different sized drums, accompanied by calabash, combine to create an intoxicating, high energy beat to which participants take turns responding. In Pointe-à-Pitre, the long-running Akadémiduka offers energizing gwo-ka dance classes for newbies as well as the experienced. The instructor teaches the class alongside a performing band of gwo-ka drummers and dancers in traditional outfits. It’s one of the most fun things to do in Guadeloupe, and a real eye-opener on the culture.
