Samuel Maama Marquaye Back in Ghana to Study Traditional Drumming and Dance
Samuel Maama Marquaye has returned to Ghana with a clear purpose, to deepen his research into traditional drumming and dance, reconnect with cultural roots, and preserve knowledge that continues to shape his work across continents. The January 2026 research trip reflects a lifelong commitment to authenticity, cultural preservation, and community-centered artistic practice.
For Marquaye, dance is more than performance it is history, identity, and shared human expression. “A dance is simply a movement,” he often says. “If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing.” This philosophy underpins his research, as he engages master drummers, traditional dancers, and cultural custodians across Ghana to document rhythms, movements, and stories that risk fading with time.
The research is also designed to strengthen the work of Shidaa Projects, where Marquaye serves as Drum and Dance Director. Knowledge gathered in Ghana will be integrated into educational programs, school residencies, and community performances in the United States, ensuring that audiences experience West African drumming and dance in its most authentic and culturally grounded form.
Since relocating from Ghana to Vermont in 2023, Marquaye has become a powerful force within the state’s cultural and artistic landscape. His performances have animated major community events, including Montpelier’s New Year’s Eve celebration, the Farmers Night Concert Series at the State House, Hubbard Park’s Enchanted Forest, and Shidaa’s Celebration of Community. Beyond the stage, he has led residencies in schools and universities and taught regular drumming and dance classes open to participants of all ages.
Lost Nation Theatre has played a particularly significant role in amplifying Marquaye’s impact in Vermont. Renowned for its commitment to education, performance excellence, and deep community engagement, Lost Nation Theatre provided a vital platform for Marquaye to share West African drumming and dance with young people and diverse audiences. His work with LNT’s summer campers and community programs exemplifies the theatre’s mission to use the arts as a tool for learning, inclusion, and cultural connection. In 2025, Lost Nation Theatre honoured Samuel Maama Marquaye for his leadership and contribution to LNT’s Education, Performance and Community Programs, recognition that aligns closely with the values later acknowledged by Ghana’s National Commission on Culture.
Marquaye’s influence has extended well beyond Vermont’s borders. Through his work with Shidaa Projects, he has reached audiences in New Hampshire, Virginia, Oregon, and California, further advancing the organization’s mission of cultural education and exchange through West African drumming and dance. These experiences continue to inform his research approach in Ghana, creating a dynamic exchange between tradition and contemporary global audiences.
He toured California with acclaimed Ghanaian artist Okaidja Afroso, spreading Afrocentric rhythms and joy, and also performed across Europe with The Akwaaba Ensemble, further cementing his reputation as a global cultural ambassador.
In recognition of his impact, the National Commission on Culture of Ghana also honored Samuel Maama Marquaye in 2023 for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of traditional and contemporary music and dance in Ghana and internationally. This national honour reflects the same dedication to cultural education, community development, and artistic excellence that institutions like Lost Nation Theatre have celebrated in his work abroad.
At the heart of Marquaye’s practice is community connection, healing, and joy. He has observed that many participants in his New England classes experience drumming and dance as a form of release and renewal. “When people come to dance, they let go of stress, depression, work pressure, the cold, in fact everything,” he explains. “That is why this research is important. It helps me bring the true spirit of the culture to the people.”
Looking ahead, Marquaye plans to expand Shidaa Projects’ residency programs across schools in Vermont and New England, using insights from his Ghana research to foster cultural awareness, empathy, and creativity among young people. His vision is to normalize dance as an everyday, inclusive activity something joyful, accessible, and shared by all.
As he continues his research journey in Ghana, Samuel Maama Marquaye stands as a living bridge between tradition and the modern world rooted in rhythm, guided by purpose, and committed to keeping African cultural heritage alive for generations to come.
For more information on Shidaa Projects and upcoming performances, visit shidaaprojects.org.
