Wala means ‘life’ in the local language of their home town of Accra, and the suitability of this name becomes clear as you experience them in action – loving and celebrating life through music. Surrounded by about twenty drums played with hands, feet and sticks, Wala bring their instruments to life as they share a fusion of traditional Ghanaian music and dance depicting the life and soul and rich heritage of their ancestors, blended with their own refreshingly contemporary and original compositions.

Wala have made a significant impact during their annual tours since 2001, surprising and delighting audiences with their passionate performances and motivating workshops. They were again drumming & dancing their way across Australia in their latest tours in 2006 & 2007 with a fresh new line-up as well as some old favourites!

Wala’s previous tours have included performances in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and North Queensland. Headlining at the Woodford Folk Festival in 2001 & 2002, other highlights of their tours have been performances at the Mackay Festival of Arts, Kulture Karnivale in North QLD, Bellingen Global Carnival, Brisbane's 'Riverfest' and ‘Southbank on New Year’s Eve’, Peace Week in Cairns, Sydney Festival's 'Global Village' on New Year’s Day, The Boite’s Museum series in Melbourne, the Brisbane Ethic Music and Arts Council’s ‘World Music Café’ series at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Kulcha Multicultural Arts of WA, and the Fairbridge and Harboursound Festivals in WA.

Wala excel at teaching percussion, dance and singing through their various workshops to the community, at festivals, schools, universities, their intensive learning camps, and private tuition. Classes are tailor-made to the individual requirements of their students and are suitable for all levels of experience, from the amateur enthusiast to the professional. Wala have also presented interactive performances to thousands of school children who have been spellbound by their rhythmic beats and distinctive personalities. The impact that an experience of a lifetime can have on a child is summed up by this recent comment from a 7 year old…..‘I felt the music inside me – I opened my mouth and swallowed the music!’

Visually outstanding and thoroughly entertaining, Wala’s sheer exuberance, zest for life and warmth is an opportunity to experience an unforgettable display of African music and culture that will leave your heart singing!